TWO people have been arrested over the murder of a man who spent two years in a coma after being attacked with a hammer.

Stephen Eastwood was found badly beaten on the ground by a passer-by at the former Reg Vardy car dealership and Bubbles car wash site in Lawrence Street, in York, in March 2012.

He had sustained serious head injuries and although he came out of a coma five months later and showed signs of improvement, he died in York Hospital in May his year.

Police said a 42-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman were being held in police custody for questioning, but it remains unclear where they were arrested. Police launched an intensive operation after the attack, searching the derelict site, Lady Peckett’s Yard, off Fossgate, as well as bins, alleyways, and the cemetery at St Denys’ Church, in Walmgate.

Despite seizing a hammer and making extensive inquiries, detectives were unable to trace Mr Eastwood’s next of kin, leading them to issue an appeal for information before his brother was traced to Spain.

Two women and two men were arrested in connection with the incident in 2012 before being released.

The family of Mr Eastwood, 47, who is believed to have lived in the city for many years, have been informed of the latest arrests.

After the attack, a public meeting was held about the rising number of squatters using the neglected area, damage at the garage, antisocial behaviour and a string of emergency service call-outs.

Police said attempts to remove the squatters proved complicated as its owner was based overseas, and moves to tackle the issues have included increased police patrols and redevelopment of the site.

Mr Eastwood's attackers could be charged with his murder due to the scrapping of an ancient law which gave attackers protection from prosecution if their victims lived beyond a year-and-a-day.

The Year and a Day rule was changed in 1996, following the death of Michael Gibson, 15 months after he was attacked during a night out in Darlington.

North Yorkshire Police is urging anyone with information about the attack on Mr Eastwood to call its major crime unit on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.