Five more arrested in connection with Eston ‘murder’

Peter Phillips, 47, died from a single shot at about 11pm on Saturday, May 23, on Ayton Crescent.

Cleveland Police confirmed today (Thursday, May 28) that four women – aged 58, 50, 36, 32 – and a 55-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. They have all been bailed pending further enquiries.

It comes after three people were charged with murder. Tony Gaffney, 39, of Ambrose Road in Middlesbrough, Jonathon Spencer, 39, of Normanby Road in Middlesbrough, and Annaliese McQuilling, 38, of Ayton Crescent are all due to appear at Teesside Crown Court on Friday (May 29).

A 29-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman previously arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender were also bailed.

It takes the total number of arrests to ten.

Senior Investigating Officer, David Glass, said: “We are still keen to hear from anyone with information or relevant dash cam or CCTV footage, particularly between 7pm on Saturday, May 23 to 1am on Sunday, May 24, of two males riding a motorbike in the Bankfields Road, Eston and Grangetown areas.

Floral tributes on Ayton Crescent, Eston (Image: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo)

Mr Phillips’ family paid tribute to him as the “heart and soul” of their family.

They said: “Peter had a big family who all loved him, he was the heart and soul of our family. We are devastated at his loss and feel we have been robbed of him.

“We would appreciate privacy to grieve and come to terms with what has happened.”

Emergency services were called to Ayton Crescent on Saturday, where Peter was pronounced dead at the scene.

Floral tributes were left at the scene. One of the tributes read: “You will always be with me,” while another added: “I will love you forever.”

Police cordons were erected on Ayton Crescent, Mansfield Road, and an alleyway between both roads, but have since been removed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number 098497 or report anonymously via Crimestoppers..