Knife murder victim 'knew killer'

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Police say they believe a man murdered in the street during an argument knew his killer.

Craig Ivey, 26, of Gilfach Goch, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was stabbed with a knife at Nantyffyllon near Maesteg, Bridgend county, early on Monday.

Detectives say his killer was probably blood-stained when he fled the scene.

They want to trace a man in his 30s, who police described as being around 5ft 8ins tall, with dark brown hair and a flat, broken nose.

After issuing the description, detectives also appealed for the man to contact them.

Two other people were injured in the incident, a 32-year-old man who was bitten by a dog and a 31-year-old woman who needed stitches to a finger wound.

Officers used a Taser gun to subdue a Rhodesian ridgeback dog after being called to the scene.

An incident room has been set up at Bridgend Police Station.

Det Supt Martyn Jones, who is leading the investigation, said he believed Mr Ivey was attacked with a knife and died at the scene following an altercation.

"We believe the culprit is known to Mr Ivey and that this is not a random attack," he said.

Police sealed off part of Coegnant Road in the village

"Extensive inquiries are being carried out in relation to searching the area, conducting house-to-house [inquiries], viewing CCTV footage and carrying out forensic examinations.

"It is likely that the culprit would have been blood-stained when he left the scene and we also have reason to believe that he might have travelled to the Sarn and Bryncethin areas shortly after the incident.

"I wish to reassure the people of Maesteg and the wider Bridgend community that we are doing everything we can to trace the person responsible."

Divisional commander Acting Supt Paul Murphy said incidents involving knives within the county borough were "extremely rare".

"We are supporting local communities in Maesteg, providing reassurance to those who are understandably shocked by what has happened," he said.

One man, who lives in a street opposite and who asked not to be identified, said he was returning from Maesteg in a taxi at around 0130 BST when the driver stopped to pick up a woman he knew.

He said: "She said 'it is kicking off there - they're all going over to batter someone'. The taxi dropped me off.

"The next thing I know, I heard a woman saying 'he's not going to survive, not going to survive'.

They were friendly going down the street, then they were arguing among themselves when they came back up John Williams, Coegnant Road resident

"I looked through the window but couldn't see anything it was too dark."

Norma Seymour, who lives in a street opposite, said: "I heard a row with dogs and people fighting at about a quarter past two. I didn't go out to look."

She said the area was usually quiet although there were occasional incidents of young people fighting.

People living in the area have spoken of their shock on learning of the death.

Arguing

John Williams, who lives a few doors from the scene, said he was woken in the early hours by the sounds of a group of people.

He said: "They were friendly going down the street then they were arguing among themselves when they came back up. It sounded like the same voices. They were right under the window.

"I didn't hear any fighting but there were loud voices.

"I didn't know anybody had been killed until I stepped out of the door [in the morning] and saw the police tent."

Jeanette Walters, landlady of the nearby Duffryn Hotel, said: "It's normally a quiet area. We've had nothing like this before. It's a nice little spot really.

Ron Haines, who also lives nearby, said: "I haven't heard of any fighting or anything up here. Usually this is a very quiet area."

• Any witnesses are asked to contact the incident room on 01656 679529 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.