Man dies after being stabbed in Christmas Eve restaurant attack

A 41-year-old man who was stabbed in a popular celebrity restaurant on Christmas Eve has died, police said.

Mazhar Ali, from Stockton, Teesside, was knifed in front of horrified diners at Manjaros restaurant in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, and died in hospital on Christmas Day.

Cleveland Police said a 20-year-old man was in police custody in relation to the attack.

A witness said: "It's sad that something like this happened on Christmas Eve. A lot of people were very disappointed and shocked.

"When we were leaving, the staff were all stood in a line blocking us from going anywhere near the kitchen or staff area so we had no choice but to go out the door."