A murder suspect was on the run last night after jumping bail.

The 43-year-old failed to surrender to police yesterday and he was immediately circulated as wanted.

The Worthing man was helping with inquiries into the stabbing death of Chris Stones on June 23. The suspect telephoned police yesterday morning, saying he had been delayed through illness and needed to see a doctor. Police agreed he could surrender later but he failed to turn up.

Mr Stones, 27, was found with a single stab wound to the stomach. Police said the attack in Pavilion Road, Worthing, was unprovoked.

His widow Tabitha begged the public to help find his killer. Mr Stones had separated from Tabitha but the pair were still close and he was devoted to Tiah, 21 months, and his son Bobby, four months. His wife, 34, said: "Chris had been keeping himself to himself lately and I would appeal to anyone who knows what he was doing in the period leading to his death to contact the police."

Mr Stones was walking with a friend shortly after 11pm on the night he died and was planning to go into his friend's house. He did not follow his friend inside and when the man came out again, he found Mr Stones lying on the pavement in a pool of blood.

It is believed Mr Stones, of Cowper Road, Worthing, had been involved in an argument prior to the stabbing.

Mrs Stones appealed to witnesses or anyone with information about her husband's death to contact Worthing police on 0845 6070999.