10:31am Sunday 7th February 2010
By Lauren Pyrah
TWO youths arrested on suspicion of murdering a teenage soldier have been released on bail.
A 16-year-old and 17-year old, both from Darlington, have been released on police bail for six weeks while medical and forensic tests are carried out in connection with the death of 19-year-old Andrew Gibson.
A decision will then be made as to whether to charge the youths and what the charges could be.
They were arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday.
Mr Gibson died five days after being punched in the head at Escapade nightclub in Gladstone Street, Darlington, on December 11.
He was found unconscious near the dance floor of the club at about 1am.
Two youths were arrested shortly after the attack and held on suspicion of assaulting Mr Gibson.
But a murder inquiry was launched when he died on December 17, having been on a life-support machine.
Detectives targeted the hundreds of people who were in the night club during the incident.
The day after Mr Gibson died - a week after the attack - police visited the club to speak to potential witnesses.
Mr Gibson, of Cumbernauld, near Glasgow, Scotland, was due to return to his family home the week after he was attacked.
He had been training at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, and would by now have been on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Escapade nightclub closed last month, with the management citing a downturn in trade as the reason.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Darlington police using the non-emergency number 0345-60-60-365, or through Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/trade_directory/