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| Disabled Lee Irving killed by bullies, says mother | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The mother of a disabled murder victim said her son had "the mind of an eight-year-old" and was targeted by bullies. | The mother of a disabled murder victim said her son had "the mind of an eight-year-old" and was targeted by bullies. |
| The body of Lee Irving was found on grass near Hazeldene Avenue in Fawdon, Newcastle, on Saturday morning. | The body of Lee Irving was found on grass near Hazeldene Avenue in Fawdon, Newcastle, on Saturday morning. |
| Police described the 24-year-old, from Camperdown, East Denton, as being vulnerable with learning difficulties. | |
| Mr Irving's mother, Bev, wrote on Facebook: "My son been killed the day [today] off [by] a bunch of... bully he had the mind of a eight year old". | |
| Detectives have admitted they think his learning difficulties may have been a factor in his death, although details of how he died have not been disclosed. | Detectives have admitted they think his learning difficulties may have been a factor in his death, although details of how he died have not been disclosed. |
| Four men aged 23, 28, 31 and 50 and two women aged 20 and 50 have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are being questioned. | |
| After his body was discovered, paramedics were called to the grassed area, but he was declared dead at the scene. | After his body was discovered, paramedics were called to the grassed area, but he was declared dead at the scene. |
| 'Sadly missed' | 'Sadly missed' |
| Northumbria Police released a statement on behalf of Mr Irving's family, which said: "Lee was a wonderful young man. Loved by many, he used to love ice-skating, going to the pictures and enjoying life. | Northumbria Police released a statement on behalf of Mr Irving's family, which said: "Lee was a wonderful young man. Loved by many, he used to love ice-skating, going to the pictures and enjoying life. |
| "He will be very sadly missed by all who knew him. What we have lost is irreplaceable and we must live with our loss every day. | "He will be very sadly missed by all who knew him. What we have lost is irreplaceable and we must live with our loss every day. |
| "We would like to thank everyone who has supported us at this devastating time. Lee will always remain in our hearts and thoughts." | "We would like to thank everyone who has supported us at this devastating time. Lee will always remain in our hearts and thoughts." |
| Supt Bruce Storey, of Northumbria Police, added: "It's thought those involved in this incident know each other. | Supt Bruce Storey, of Northumbria Police, added: "It's thought those involved in this incident know each other. |
| "Lee had learning difficulties and was vulnerable. One of our key lines of inquiry is to establish whether this is a factor in his death and a motivation in this crime. | |
| "It's important those suspected of being responsible face the consequences of their actions and I would urge anyone who was in Fawdon on Saturday morning, between 7am and 9am, to come forward and speak to us. | "It's important those suspected of being responsible face the consequences of their actions and I would urge anyone who was in Fawdon on Saturday morning, between 7am and 9am, to come forward and speak to us. |
| "Extra officers will continue to carry out patrols in the area to offer reassurance to the local community, who understandably are shocked and appalled by this tragic death." | "Extra officers will continue to carry out patrols in the area to offer reassurance to the local community, who understandably are shocked and appalled by this tragic death." |