Victim identified in murder investigation

Following the incident early on New Year’s Day in Tamerton Foliot formal identification has now been completed on the 27 year old victim.

He has been named as Tanis Bhandari from Tamerton Foliot.

Two men aged 20 and 21 years arrested in connection with the incident remain in custody. A warrant of further detention was granted by Plymouth Magistrates this afternoon in respect of both men.

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 1-1.30am on Thursday 1st January. Further calls of disorder were then received.

On arrival police found one man seriously injured and two men with knife injuries. Tanis Bhandari aged 27 years was transported to Derriford Hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead on arrival. Police are treating his death as suspicious. Two men also attended Derriford Hospital for treatment for knife wounds.

A weapon has been recovered and two men, aged 20 and 21 both from Plymouth, have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with this incident and are being detained at Charles Cross Police Station, Plymouth.

Detective Superintendent Jim Colwell, said: “We are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or who was in the Tamerton Foilot area between 1-2am this morning to contact the police.

“An axe has been found but the knife has yet to be located. 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 are asked to contact  police on 101 quoting police log 169 01/01/15, or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report online at www.Crimestoppers-uk.org.