Dog may hold clues to Brighton man’s death

A Brighton man’s dog could hold vital clues to his death in a road accident.

Sussex Police said that officers were trying to trace the person who may have tied up a dog called Howie outside a flat at Stanmer Heights in Bramble Way, Hollingbury.

Traffic officers believe that James Patterson, 37, of Rushlake Road in Coldean, was walking Howie, a white Jack Russell with black spots when he was knocked over.

Mr Patterson died after being hit by the Renault Clio in Ditchling Road, close to the junction with Coldean Lane, almost two weeks ago on Wednesday 21 November.

PC Doug Park, from the Roads Policing Unit, said: “We are trying to establish if James was walking Howie at the time of the collision.

“We believe that Howie has subsequently run off and was then found by a member of the public near by.

“We would like to hear from the person who found Howie and secured him outside the flats.

“It would really help with our investigation if that person would come forward and shed some light on where and when they found Howie.”

He urged anyone with information to call Sussex Police on 101.