POLICE last night launched a murder probe after a man was allegedly stabbed at a cashpoint outside a convenience store in Colchester.Two people were arrested and were being quizzed in connection with the incident, which happened in the town's Hunwicke Road yesterday afternoon.

By Roddy Ashworth

POLICE last night launched a murder probe after a man was allegedly stabbed at a cashpoint outside a convenience store in Colchester.

Two people were arrested and were being quizzed in connection with the incident, which happened in the town's Hunwicke Road yesterday afternoon.

A spokeswoman for Essex Police said last night: “Police in Colchester have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a man who was taken to Colchester Hospital with a neck wound.

“A man aged 31 and a woman, age unknown, from Colchester, were arrested late this afternoon in connection with the incident and are being questioned by detectives.

“Police were called to Hunwicke Road in Colchester just after 3pm.

“An ambulance crew gave initial first aid to the man before he was taken to hospital where he died shortly after his arrival.

“The man has not been formerly identified yet. Police are appealing for anyone in the area at the time and who may have witnessed the incident near to a cashpoint machine to contact them.”

The young victim, whose first name is thought to be Wesley, was apparently stabbed at a cashpoint outside the Fourboys convenience store in the Hunwicke Shopping centre, off Hawthorn Avenue on Colchester's Greenstead estate.

One woman who was on the scene moments after the murder described how she saw the victim lying in a pool of blood.

Debbie Price, who lives on the Greenstead Estate, told the EADT: “I got here at about 3pm to go to the post office.

“There was a young lad on the ground. He had short, shaven dark hair, and must have been in his early 20s.

“He didn't look good at all. He was grey and the whole area outside the shop was covered in blood.

“I heard there was a bit of a fight. The lad was clenching his neck and onlookers thought at first he had been punched.

“But then the blood started gushing and they realised he had been stabbed.”

Keith Robinson relief manager at Forbouys store said: “I went outside and he was in a bad way.

“At first I thought he had been punched but he was bleeding badly and it was coming from his mouth. There were at least three people trying to help him.

“You don't think some one will be stabbed outside your shop, it's a bit of a shock and very upsetting.”

He said the police came and then the ambulance.

Caylee Dale, 14, said she knew the victim as Wesley. She added: “He was alright, seemed okay, I only saw him a couple of times really.”