Pair arrested after screwdriver attack victim dies

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 28-year-old who died last month after being attacked with a screwdriver nearly nine years ago.

Jonathan Barton suffered serious head injuries when he was assaulted in September 2000 and was left unable to walk or speak.

He died in hospital on July 11 and his funeral took place yesterday.

Thames Valley Police said today that a 29-year-old man from Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, and a 27-year-old from Oakhill, Milton Keynes, had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

They were released on police bail until September. The results of a post-mortem examination on Mr Barton are not expected for several months.

Police would not reveal the names of the arrested men.

Leigh Clift, 29, was convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent following the attack on Mr Barton and was given a 10-year sentence, five-and-a-half years of which he spent in custody.