A burglar that was killed while trying to raid a house may have been after bingo winnings police have suggested.

Masked intruder John Bennell, 27, died from the wounds he received after he and three others entered the house in Pendlebury, Salford. It has been claimed they may have been after a jackpot winner but got the wrong house, police detectives have suggested.

Bennell, who died from a stab wound to the chest, was on bail for burglary following a theft in Tamworth, Staffordshire. It is understood that in the first raid the home of a professional gambler was targeted.

Four men wearing balaclavas entered the terrace house around midnight on Wednesday. The attack was reported by one of the occupants of the house. After being stabbed, Mr Bennell is believed to have been carried by his partners in crime, who left him slumped next to a tree on Hospital Road.

A local unnamed 67 year old grandmother had been lucky enough to scoop a £128,000 bingo jackpot at a local land based bingo hall in the days before the incident at the Flanagan's home and it may be that the gang ended up in the wrong house. The unnamed winner has said "I'm frightened they'll come back. Anyway, I split the money with my daughter and put it in the bank."

She added: “The police said not to worry but I’m still a bit scared. I can hardly believe it.”

Peter Flanagan, 39, the owner of the house arrested on suspicion of murder but has been freed pending further inquiries.

The father of the dead man, Garry, 52, has apologised for his sons actions.

Hopefully the Court will see sense and would be criminals will think twice before engaging in such activities in the future