Murder at The Dutchman

A murder inquiry was launched today after a man died following an attack at a Wolverhampton pub.

Police and paramedics went to The Flying Dutchman in Merry Hill early today after reports of a fight.

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A man, thought to be in his 30s but who has not yet been formally identified, had been seriously injured and it is thought he had been stabbed.

He was taken to Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital but later died and his next of kin was being informed this morning.

A private party had been held at the Claverley Drive pub last night and neighbours said they could heard shouting in the early hours of this morning. Officers were called to the pub at around 4.30am today.

One, who did not want to be named, said: "There was silence until shortly after 4am when I was woken by shouting.

"There was a car on the pub car park with its lights blazing and another car drove up to it at which point a man got out of the vehicle and then the trouble started."

The pub car park, with a dozen vehicles inside, was sealed off by police today, as was the footpath running in front of the pub.

White-suited scenes of crime officers were combing the area for clues and clusters of empty beer bottles and glasses with police markers beside them littered the car park.

Officers had set up a series of numbered cards plotting the sequence of events which went around the side of the car park to the front of the pub, past tables and chairs.

Helen Thompson, spokeswoman for West Midlands Police, said officers were alerted to the attack by West Midlands Ambulance Service. She said the attack was inside the pub.

She added: "Police were called just after 4.30am this morning to the Flying Dutchman following reports of a disorder.

"On arrival a man was found to have been assaulted suffering serious injuries.

"The man, in his 30s, was taken to New Cross Hospital but later died. The area has been sealed off while police make inquiries locally and forensic examinations take place."

She said a post mortem would take place in due course to establish the cause of death. Mayor of Wolverhampton councillor Christine Mills, who represents Merry Hill, said: "I am desperately sorry for the family of the deceased.

"This is absolutely dreadful news for the whole community."

Retired Don Jervis, aged 80 and who lives in nearby St Joseph's Court, said: "It's only a stone's throw from where I live.

"It's today's society and we've had some nasty incidents round here lately.

"I'm of the old school and we just don't agree with this type of behaviour of people going around attacking each other.

"But it is really an apathetic society these days and people just don't care." Dave Blaney, aged 59, who runs Sunner Wines just over the road from the pub, said: "This kind of thing creates a bad impression for the area, but this is a very nice neighbourhood.

"The pub has had problems but this is a decent area, with decent people living here. The murder has come as terrible shock."

One elderly woman, who lives near the pub, said: "This is terrible news, we've been dreading this. There were often noisy parties at the pub which repeatedly woke me up. We have been very frightened."

The murder comes three years after the death of Mark Symonds who was stabbed 10 times while walking home from The Flying Dutchman after watching a football match there in November 2005.

The 28-year old was killed by his brother-in-law Peter Britten, who was jailed for life for the murder. He later appealed against the conviction, but it was refused and he was told to serve at least 15 years in jail.

Anyone with information about last night's murder should call West Midlands Police on 0845 113 5000.

By Michelle Pearson and John Scott