Man facing murder arrest after 2014 attack bailed

A man arrested on suspicion of murdering a man who died a decade after an attack that left him paralysed has been bailed.

Stuart Coldicott received head injuries in Colchester on 11 February 2014 when he was 36, leaving him in need of "complex daily care”.

Essex Police launched a homicide investigation after Mr Coldicott's death in March this year, and said there was a "causal link" with the attack.

The force confirmed a 61-year-old man arrested in the city on 11 November has been released on police bail until December.

Mr Coldicott, who "put a smile on everyone’s faces”, died aged 46.

The first police investigation which started in 2014 after Mr Coldicott was attacked, focused on Barrack Street and Harsnett Road in Colchester.

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

At the time the force ruled the injuries he suffered were likely to have been the result of a "serious assault" but were unable to prove it.

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.

"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."

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."

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