CCTV images appeal in canal murder probe

CCTV images of a man who was later found dead in a canal in Sheffield have been released by police as they try to trace his last movements.

The body of the 39-year-old man was recovered from the Tinsley Canal near Staniforth Road in Darnall at about 19:15 BST on Tuesday 10 June.

A 35-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of his murder had since been released on bail, a South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said.

Det Ch Insp Mark Oughton said it was hoped the images of the man, pictured wearing a grey jacket and trousers, light coloured trainers, and carrying a dark Nike rucksack, "may help jog the memory of anyone who was in the area at the time and might have seen the man".

"If you were on the canal towpath or the surrounding area between Shirland Lane and Staniforth Road between 16:00 BST and 19:15 BST on Tuesday last week and have any information, please come forward," he said.

"No piece of information is too small. It could be a vital piece of information that could help our team of detectives progress this investigation."

Police said the man who was found dead had attended a police inquiry desk earlier on Tuesday 10 June.

As a result, and in line with normal procedure, a referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the force spokesperson said.

Following assessment, the IOPC had referred it back to South Yorkshire Police for local investigation, they added.

Anyone with information which could help officers investigating the man's death was asked to contact police.

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