Two youths arrested over death of soldier (From The Northern Echo)

Two youths arrested over death of soldier

8:30am Saturday 6th February 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

Two youths arrested over death of soldier A 16-year-old and 17-yearold, both from Darlington, were questioned over the death of Andrew Gibson, 19.

He 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 dancefloor at about 1am.

Shortly after the attack, the two youths who were arrested yesterday were detained on suspicion of assaulting Mr Gibson. But when he died on December 17, having been on a life-support machine, police launched a murder inquiry.

After studying CCTV and the initial results of a postmortem examination, police re-arrested the youths on suspicion of murder.

Detective Inspector Phil Curtis, of Darlington police, said: “We are in a position where we have the medical evidence, as well as additional evidence and information, which allowed us to arrest these two males.

“I expect they will be bailed pending further medical evidence, so a decision can be taken as to any charges that will be made.”

The police inquiry targeted the hundreds of people who were in Escapade at the time of the incident.

The day after Mr Gibson died – a week after the attack – police visited the club.

Det Insp Curtis said he was disappointed with the initial response, but said momentum soon gathered behind the inquiry. He added: “In the interim, a lot of people did come forward, and I would say that we managed to trace the majority of the people we wanted to speak to.”

Mr Gibson, of Cumbernauld, near Glasgow, in 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.

Det Insp Curtis said: “While there is a possibility of further arrests, I do not anticipate any imminently.”

Anyone with any information about the incident can call Darlington police on 0345- 60-60-365, or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800-555-111.

■Escapade closed last month, with bosses citing a downturn in trade as the reason.