Man held on suspicion of murder after 2014 attack

Essex Police released this picture of a 61-year-old man being arrested on suspicion of murder

A 61-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a man who was badly injured in an assault more than a decade ago.

Stuart Coldicott was 36 when he suffered life-threatening head injuries in Colchester on 11 February 2014.

A homicide investigation began in March this year after the death of Mr Caldicott, who had been left paralysed and required a "high level of complex daily care".

On Monday, Essex Police said new lines of inquiry had led to the arrest of a 61-year-old man in Colchester.

Stuart Coldicott was left paralysed after being attacked on 11 February 2014

Det Insp Lydia George, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “The injuries Stuart sustained had a significant and long-lasting impact on him and of course his family, who continue to live with that impact to this day.

“When Stuart died and a causal link to the head injury was established, we began treating his death as a homicide and our fresh investigation was launched.

“And as part of that investigation, we have arrested a man on suspicion of murder, and he remains in custody to be questioned."

The first police investigation, back in 2014, focused on Barrack Street and Harsnett Road in Colchester.

CCTV footage was examined and a mobile police station was set up.

Stuart Coldicott, who died in March, pictured before the incident in 2014

'Dearly loved'

A tribute issued by Mr Coldicott’s family described him as a "dearly-loved brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle, son and friend to everyone that knew him".

The statement added: “Stewie sustained a serious head injury, which resulted in him become a paraplegic.

"Although this horrific incident happened to him, he never lost his naughty sense of humour that put a smile on everyone’s faces.

"Nobody could replace him, and he will always remain in our hearts.

“All the family members and friends will greatly miss Stewie very much and our mischievous family member is gone from this world but not from our hearts."