Suspect freed on bail over 1988 murder

A MAN arrested in connection with the murder of a Yorkshire driving instructor 22 years ago has been released on police bail.

The 52-year-old was arrested in Widdrington, Northumberland, on Wednesday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and soliciting another person to commit murder.

The suspect was questioned over the killing of father-of-two Keith Slater, 35, who died from a single stab wound to the neck after answering a knock at the door of his home in Hessle, East Yorkshire, early on August 27, 1988.

A file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Chief Supt Colin Andrews, of Humberside Police, said: “The investigation has moved forward substantially. We now have a clearer picture of the circumstances leading up to Keith’s murder.

“I am satisfied that this murder was discussed in Sheffield as well as in Surrey, the Hull area and Northumbria.

“We are satisfied that there were others involved in this offence and there are other people out there who have information about the murder.

“My appeal is for them to come forward, even if they are involved, as the investigation continues and sooner or later we will be visiting them.

“This is a complex inquiry and I anticipate many more months of investigation.”

The suspect has not been named, but is a former resident of the Willerby area of East Yorkshire and was questioned as part of the initial inquiry into the killing.

Martin Brown, now 46 and originally from Anlaby in East Yorkshire, is serving a life sentence after being convicted of Mr Slater’s murder in 2007 in a trial at Sheffield Crown Court.

Brown had also been quizzed as part of the initial investigation, but it was not until advances in DNA technology that police were able to find vital evidence against him.

He was extradited from Australia in 2006 after emigrating to the small town of Cooma in New South Wales with his wife and two sons.

Anyone with information can call the major incident team on 01377 208989.