Man convicted of murder after alleged row over bike led to stabbing in Grangetown

Andrew Clark, of Harlech Close in Middlesbrough, chased John Donaldson down the street before violently killing him at around 9pm on Thursday 21 November 2024.

(Pictured: Andrew Clark)

The 39-year-old is suspected of fighting with John over a push bike.

John, aged 34, is believed to have borrowed Clark’s bike to cycle to a shop to buy a drink. A dispute took place between the pair over who the bike belonged to and how it had failed to be given back.

On Wednesday 21 May at Teesside Crown Court, a jury reached a unanimous verdict and found Clark guilty of murder following a nine-day trial.

He is due to return to Teesside Crown Court to be sentenced on Thursday 22 May.

During the trial, the court heard how after the stabbing, Clark threw a baseball bat through the window of a property on Lealholm Walk that John had been visiting before fleeing in a Mercedes.

Clark disposed of the knife and clothing he had been wearing at the time and went into hiding.

Meanwhile a murder investigation had been launched by detectives in Cleveland Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET).

Over two days, various pieces of evidence were gathered that revealed the altercation on Lealholm Walk and footage capturing John being pursued by Clark who was armed with the knife.

It revealed John had been stabbed twice prior to ‘running for his life’ and sustained further injuries to his hands and arm when attempting to fend off Clark.

Despite John being rushed to James Cook University Hospital by ambulance and all efforts to save his life, he died at 10.30pm, around two hours after the attack occurred.

(Pictured: John 'Bamber' Donaldson)

Clark returned to a property he had been staying at on Ainthorpe Road, disposing the murder weapon down the side of the sink. Further forensic enquiries revealed Clark’s blood on the car keys and his grey trainers that were worn at the time.  

At 9.40pm, a white van pulled up at the property and collected Clark. A video recorded on his phone shows the van approaching officers as they were setting up a police cordon however the driver carried on travelling until reaching an industrial premises in Eston at approximately 1.30am.

This is where Clark changed his clothing and footwear.

In the days that followed, the jury heard Clark had ‘begged’ and ‘borrowed’ all he could, making requests for somewhere to stay, calling himself the ‘running man’ and that he was in ‘big trouble’.

Following a three-day extensive manhunt, Clark was spotted in Grangetown and arrested by officers on Sunday 24 November 2024.

He was taken to police custody to be questioned on suspicion of murder and remained silent throughout. The Crown Prosecution Service authorised he be charged with murder, and he was remanded in custody.

Upon hearing the verdict, Senior Investigating Officer Matt Hollingsworth, from HMET, said: “John fought for his life and suffered a violent attack following a row over a bike. Our thoughts are with his family and friends as they continue to come to terms with what has happened.

“Since Clark’s arrest, and throughout the trial, he has continued to try and cover his tracks by telling lie after lie.

“Thankfully, the jury could see through this from the evidence that was laid out in front of him, including numerous pieces of footage showing Clark’s movements in the run up to, during and after the murder of John.

“Clark chose to slip through the net and go into hiding, even travelling past the police cordon pretending he knew nothing about it and continuing to evade police in the days that followed.

“I know today’s verdict won’t bring John back or lessen the pain however I hope it begins to bring some form of closure knowing justice has been served.”

John’s family has released the following statement:

“On behalf of the family of John ‘Bamber’ Donaldson we would like to thank all of the police investigation team in gathering the evidence, the CPS for presenting the case and the homicide service.

“Your support to the family has been gratefully appreciated.

“We would like to thank all the witnesses who found the strength to stand up and help get justice for Bamber. We are so grateful for everyone and will never forget this as long as we live.

“Thank you to everyone involved.”