Wirral man held for second day in Birkenhead murder investigation

May 13 2011 By Laura Jones

A MURDER suspect was today being questioned by detectives investigating a stabbing on Merseyside.

The victim, 27-year-old Peter Caine, was found collapsed in Market Street, Birkenhead, Wirral, in the early hours of yesterday morning with stab wounds to his upper body.

A post mortem found he died as a result of a stab wound to the chest.

A police spokesman confirmed that Peter was originally from Cumbria but had been a resident in Merseyside for a considerable number of years.

His family have been informed of his death.

Officers were called to the road, close to Hamilton Square, shortly after 12.30am yesterday following reports a man had collapsed in the street.

When they arrived they found Peter with stab wounds to his upper body. He was taken to Arrowe Park Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

A 28-year-old local man was arrested in nearby Chester Street on suspicion of murder shortly afterwards.

He was still in police custody today facing further questioning by murder squad detectives.

Market Street was cordoned off between Argyle Street and Hamilton Street yesterday morning to allow forensic officers to examine the scene.

The road closure led to long tailbacks of rush-hour traffic, with the cordon not lifted until after 4pm.

A house where the stabbing is thought to have happened was still sealed off last night.

Workers in shops where Peter was a familiar face told the ECHO he was a regular at the Crown and Cushion pub on Market Street and often visited a nearby bookies to place bets for friends.

The owner of Argyle News said: "It’s really horrible. In the daytime it’s quiet, but at night there’s a lot of trouble happening with fighting and shop windows smashed.

"Everybody who’s been coming into the shop has been asking about it."

Call police on 0151 777 2263 or 2264 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information.