Two males charged with homicide after ‘doorstep ammonia assault’

Two males have been charged with the homicide of a person who died following an alleged ammonia assault on his doorstep in Gateshead, Tyneside, police stated on Sunday night time (August 27).

It was reported that two offenders had approached the property and knocked on the entrance door.  When Andy Foster opened the door, he was then allegedly sprayed with what’s believed to have been ammonia, with the suspects then fleeing the scene.

In a press release issued on social media on Sunday night time, Northumbria Police stated: “Andy, 26, suffered life-threatening injuries following an assault in Wrekenton on August 20 at was taken to hospital. Despite the best efforts of medical staff he sadly passed away.

On Friday, Andy’s family have issued a heartfelt tribute. They said “Andy was such a kind and funny boy who was so loved by his family and many friends.

“He was our only son – as well as a loving and supportive partner, grandson and cousin – and was particularly close with his Grandad who was very special to him. We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken beyond words that we have sadly lost our boy.

“Andy still had his whole life left ahead of him – and we are struggling to come to terms with the fact that he is no longer here with us.  As a family, we would like to thank everyone in the community for their continued support and kind words over the past week.

“We now respectfully ask that we are given the time and privacy we need to grieve, as we attempt to process what has happened.”

“An investigation was instantly launched into Andy’s loss of life. Officers subsequently arrested two males they usually have now been charged with homicide. They are Kenneth Fawcett, 32, of Balkwell Avenue, North Shields, and John Wandless, additionally 32, of no mounted abode.

“Three other people – two women and a man – who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and another man who was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, have been released under investigation, pending further enquiries.

“Our ideas stay firmly with Andy’s family members at this extraordinarily troublesome time and we’ll proceed to supply all of them the help that they want. We wish to thank members of the general public for his or her continued help and cooperation all through the previous week.”