Police arrest man on suspicion of murder after ‘dearly loved’ uncle who was left paraplegic in attack dies 10 years later

A 61-year-old man has been taken into custody on suspicion of murder after a ‘dearly loved’ uncle died a decade after being left paraplegic in an attack. 

Stuart Coldicott suffered a serious head injury in an assault in Colchester on February 11, 2014. 

The attack left the then 36-year-old paralysed and needing daily care until he passed away earlier this year in March. 

A fresh police investigation was launched in the wake of his passing, after a post-mortem examination showed a link between his head injury and death. 

Police have now arrested a man on suspicion of murder, as he remains in custody to be questioned. 

The police have since arrested a 61-year-old man on suspicion of murder in the wake of the ‘dearly loved’ uncle’s death (Pictured: Stuart Coldicott)

Detective Inspector Lydia George, from Essex Police, said: ‘The injuries which Stuart sustained in 2014 had a significant and long-lasting impact on him and of course his family, who continue to live with that impact to this day.

‘When Stuart died and a causal link to the head injury on February 11 2014 was established, we began treating his death as a homicide and our fresh investigation was launched.

‘And as part of that investigation, this morning we have arrested a man on suspicion of murder, and he remains in custody to be questioned.

‘We will also be speaking to a number of people who we’re considering as witnesses to gather additional information and accounts.’

The initial investigation into Mr Coldicott’s injury found that he was seen in the areas of Barrack Street and Harsnett Road in Colchester with several cuts and bruises to his face between December 2013 and February 2014.

Police were unable to prove that the injury that left him paraplegic was due to one assault committed by a specific person.

However, they did find evidence of an assault before February 11 for which a man was convicted.

Mr Coldicott’s family said in a statement issued through Essex Police: ‘Stewie Coldicott was 46 when he tragically died in March 2024.

A fresh police investigation was launched in the wake of his passing, after a post-mortem examination showed a link between his head injury and death

Police have since arrested  a man on suspicion of murder and he remains in custody to be questioned

‘Stewie was a dearly loved brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle, son and friend to everyone that knew him.

‘Stewie sustained a serious head injury, which resulted in him becoming 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.

‘The family request to be left alone and allowed to grieve at this very difficult time.’