Teens arrested for ‘homicide’ after ‘throwing department from Millennium bridge’
Two boys, aged 17 and 16, have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man in his 70s died following an alleged assault near Millennium Bridge in Cheltenham
Police have arrested two teens(Image: Google Maps)
Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a branch was allegedly hurled from a bridge. Gloucestershire Constabulary revealed officers responded to reports of an incident involving three males at approximately 7.30pm on Wednesday.
It was alleged that two males had thrown a large branch from the Millennium Bridge in Cheltenham at a cyclist travelling on the road beneath – though the cyclist is not thought to have sustained injuries.
Police say the males subsequently left the bridge and were confronted by a man in his 70s on Honeybourne Way. It’s reported one of the males struck the man in the face, causing him to collapse to the ground. The man subsequently died, reports the Mirror.
Two teenagers, aged 17 and 16, were originally arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. The suspects have been re-arrested on suspicion of murder following the victim’s death, police confirmed.
Gloucestershire Constabulary stated: “Two teenage boys have been arrested after police released CCTV images in connection with a serious assault in Cheltenham on Wednesday night (8 April).
“Since their arrests, the victim has died and the suspects have been rearrested on suspicion of murder. Following information provided by the public, a 17-year-old boy was arrested last night (Thursday) and a 16-year-old boy was arrested in the early hours of this morning (Friday).
“Both of the boys were arrested in Cheltenham and they remain in police custody after initially being arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. At around 7.30pm on Wednesday 8 April police had been called with a report of an incident involving three males.
“It was reported that two males had been on the Millennium Bridge and had thrown a large branch at a cyclist who was travelling on the road below. It is not believed the cyclist was injured.
“The males then left the bridge and were approached by the victim, a man aged in his 70s, on Honeybourne Way.
“It is reported an exchange took place between them before one of the male punched the victim in the face causing him to fall to the ground.
“The suspects then fled before officers arrived at the location. Emergency services attended and the victim was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
“He had been in a critical condition and died in hospital earlier today (Friday 10 April). His next of kin and the coroner have been informed.”
