A GOOD Samaritan who died after being knocked off his bicycle by car thieves may have been run over a second time as he lay in the road.

Today police appealed to directly to Stephen Wills' killers to hand themselves in and urged anyone who had seen what had happened to come forward.

Mr Wills, 55, of Hartington Street, Moss Side was a self employed tradesman who was renowned among friends and neighbours as being a Good Samaritan willing to help out anyone in a fix.

He died shortly after being found in Princess Road, Moss Side in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Today police said he had been knocked over by a silver stolen VW Golf with the registration Y178 0NB, but that he could have been run over a second time by the driver of another car who may not have seen him lying in the road.

A post mortem examination showed he had severe head injuries and both his legs were broken.

Detective Inspector Terry Crompton said: "A man who clearly had a lot to offer people, and was dearly loved by his friends, has lost his life at the hands of some cowardly thieves. Search your memories and come and speak to us. You can do so anonymously if you wish.

"I'd also like to appeal directly to the people who were in the Golf that night. You might not have meant to kill this man, but the longer you hide, the more guilty you will become."

Police say the spare keys to the VW Golf were stolen in a burglary at a house in Everett Road, Withington in a burglary a week before Mr Wills was killed on April 5. The thieves are thought to have returned a week later to take the car.

It was later found abandoned on Edward Sutcliffe Close at about 3.40am and three white men were seen running away.

Detective Inspector Terry Crompton added: "It is absolutely clear to me that there are people who could have witnessed this collision. We want to hear from them. "We need to trace the men who were in that car when it hit Stephen, and to do that we need your help.

"Did you see this Golf driving around anywhere late that Friday night? It is likely it was driving erratically.

"Or did you witness something suspicious that afternoon a week before, when the house was burgled? You might have some information that you think is unimportant but could be crucial to us, so please call."

Anyone with any information that could assist this investigation is asked to contact the road policing unit on 0161 856 6173, Longsight CID on 0161 856 4143 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Tweet