DETECTIVES are appealing for a couple to come forward who could help solve the murder of James Attfield.

Jim, 33, of East Bay, was stabbed 102 times and died shortly before 6am near Castle Park on Saturday, March 29.

A couple were seen sitting on a bench at 11.30pm on Friday, March 28.

They were sitting at opposite ends of the bench, near a man who was sitting on the grass.

The man is white, of stocky build and has long legs while the woman is white.

Det Insp Anne Cameron said: "It is crucial we trace this man and woman as they may have vital information which could help us piece together Jim’s last movements before he was so brutally stabbed in his home town and in a place he enjoyed to visit.

"We continue to work tirelessly around the clock to trace the person or people responsible for cutting Jim’s life short and robbing him of a future he was looking forward to.”

The couple on the bench, or anyone who might know who they are, is asked to contact detectives on 01245 282103 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Crimestoppers have offered a reward on £10,000 payable for information which leads to the conviction of the person or people responsible for Jim’s murder.