A POLICE community support officer has died nearly two weeks after suffering serious head injuries at his home.

Forty-six-year-old Ian Sexton, who worked for the British Transport Police, in Darlington, was discovered at his house, in Norman Square, Richmond, North Yorkshire, on Thursday December 27.

He died on Sunday at The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

It is believed that members of Mr Sexton's family took the decision to switch-off his life support machine as his condition had significantly deteriorated since the incident.

A 51-year-old woman was arrested and has since been released on bail until January 30 without charge.

A police spokeswoman said last night: "A 46-year-old man died in hospital on Sunday, January 6. Inquiries are still continuing to establish the cause of his death."

Police were called to the scene by ambulance crews at about 11.30pm on the night of the incident. It is believed that the emergency services were notified when Irene Sexton returned home to find her husband at the bottom of the stairs.

Upon arrival, paramedics found that Mr Sexton had suffered serious head injuries.

He was rushed to hospital where doctors described his condition as critical.

Vets were called to the scene to pacify an aggressive dog that was impeding police in their investigation.

Neighbours have revealed their shock at the incident. Avril Maloney said the couple were well known on the Cutpurse estate, but "kept themselves to themselves".

She said: "They were not so friendly with people on the estate."

Mrs Maloney said residents of the estate awoke on the morning of Friday, December 28, to find part of their road cordoned off. She said: "The police weren't letting anyone past for over two days. We don't usually have the police here. It was completely unexpected to have the road cordoned off."

Mr Sexton had lived in the Richmond area all his life.