THE DISTRESSED sister of a man who died an hour after he was attacked in a pub says his killer could still be walking free.

Police say the death of roofer Harold Johnson is still being investigated as a potential murder and they want people with information to come forward.

Mr Johnson died from a heart defect an hour after he was attacked by his former lover's nephew Peter Campbell in a pub in Church.

Yesterday Campbell admitted attacking Mr Johnson, but the police and two pathologists have not linked that incident to his death from a heart defect he was born with.

The dead man's sister, Carole Johnson, today demanded that police step up their efforts to catch another man whom she believes launched a second attack minutes before Mr Johnson died.

Mr Johnson, 48, of Blackburn Road, Accrington, was attacked with a pool cue inside the Commercial Hotel in Church at about 7pm on September 30. He died an hour later outside his ex-girlfriend Bernadette Mullen's home in nearby Walmsley Close. Miss Mullen's nephew Peter Campbell, 21, formerly of York Street, Church, admitted causing Mr Johnson grievous bodily harm when he appeared before Burnley Crown Court yesterday.

Campbell pleaded to the reduced charge after denying two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The case was adjourned to May 21 for pre-sentence reports and Campbell was granted conditional bail.

At an earlier hearing Peter Turner, defending Campbell, said 69 people had contacted the police with information about a second attack on Mr Johnson.

He told Hyndburn magistrates: "A man was seen running away from Bernadette Mullen's home. A man was said to have run into a pub called The Stag, covered in blood, saying 'I think I killed him'. That person could not have been Peter Campbell."

Police have confirmed that a man was arrested last year in connection with the alleged second attack but released without charge. The dead man's sister said today: "When Harold died, I think the police thought it was one less person for them to worry about. The police didn't have a lot of respect for Harold and he didn't like them either. He was no angel and I think they are glad that he is out of their hair and they have not done enough to investigate the second assault."

Miss Johnson, from Bolton, said: "I had to go and identify the body and I saw the massive injuries. I think whoever did the second assault has intimidated witnesses.

"I'm still convinced he wouldn't have had the heart attack if he had not been attacked. I saw the state of his body and the second assault must have contributed to the heart attack."

Detective Chief Inspector Irene Wilson of Lancashire Police said: "We are still investigating whether a second assault took place. There are people out there who know what went on and have not informed the police. I would urge them to come forward. This is a potential murder investigation."

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