Sixth arrest over Matalan manager murder

2:37pm Friday 18th April 2008

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A teen has been arrested over the murder of Herne Hill shop manager Jamie Simpson, bringing to six the number of people questioned by police over his death.

Mr Simpson, 33, died after being stabbed in the neck as he cashed up at the Matalan store where he worked in Kingsland Shopping Centre about 8pm on March 22.

A 16-year-old was arrested yesterday in a street in Hackney and taken to a East London police station.

He was given police bail to return in late May.

Five others - two aged 26, two aged 21 and a 19-year-old - have all been granted bail until late May pending further police investigations.

Police are still appealing for witnesses and information in connection with the murder.

Detectives believe Mr Simpson was assaulted by three black men about 8pm during a suspected robbery while he was in the process of cashing up the day's takings in the office area of the shop.

He was found by staff minutes after the attack, who immediately called for help.

Detective Inspector Laurence Smith said the three attackers are believed to have escaped from the shop through the rear car park in Dalston Lane.

"Mr Simpson was completing his day's work when he was fatally assaulted during a suspected robbery at his store," D Insp Smith said.

"We are appealing for anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the shopping centre around closing time or witnessed the assailants making off from the store via the rear car park."