Tamerton Foliot attack: Police continue to question suspects

Detectives are continuing to question two men following the death of a man in the early hours of New Year’s Day in Plymouth.

Police were called to attend The Kings Arms in Tamerton Foliot, following initial reports of a man reported to be in possession of a knife and axe, between 1am and 1.30am on Thursday 1 January 2015. Further calls of disorder were then received.

On arrival police found one man seriously injured and two men with knife injuries.

Tanis Bhandari, 27, from Tamerton Foliot, was taken to Derriford Hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead on arrival. Police are treating his death as suspicious.

The other two injured men were also taken to Derriford Hospital for treatment for knife wounds. One of the men, aged 21 from Plymouth, remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition. The other man has been discharged from hospital.

Two men, aged 20 and 21, both from Plymouth, were arrested on suspicion of murder and continue to be questioned by officers at Charles Cross Police Station, Plymouth.

A warrant of further detention was granted by Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on Friday afternoon in respect of both men.

One weapon has been recovered and searches are continuing for the knife believed to have been used in the attack.

Detective Superintendent Jim Colwell, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “We are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or who was in the Tamerton Foliot area between 1am and 2am on the morning of the incident to contact the police.

“An axe has been found but the search continues for a large knife. We are asking local residents to keep an eye out for anything discarded in their bins or gardens that seems suspicious and to call police if anything is found, without touching it.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who was in the area during this time is asked to contact police on 101 quoting police log 169 of 1 January 2015, or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report online at www.Crimestoppers-uk.org