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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Off-duty Greater Manchester police officer murdered | Off-duty Greater Manchester police officer murdered |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| An off-duty police officer has died after being assaulted in Greater Manchester. | An off-duty police officer has died after being assaulted in Greater Manchester. |
| PC Gareth Francis, 28, was walking home from a night out with friends on Castle Street, Edgeley, Stockport, at 01:20 GMT, when he was attacked, police said. | PC Gareth Francis, 28, was walking home from a night out with friends on Castle Street, Edgeley, Stockport, at 01:20 GMT, when he was attacked, police said. |
| He was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital with a head injury and died later. | He was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital with a head injury and died later. |
| Two men, aged 20 and 21, from Stockport, have been been arrested on suspicion of his murder and remain in custody for questioning. | Two men, aged 20 and 21, from Stockport, have been been arrested on suspicion of his murder and remain in custody for questioning. |
| 'Terrible blow' | 'Terrible blow' |
| Detectives said he was dropped off by a taxi in Edgeley after a night out with friends in Manchester city centre and assaulted minutes later. | Detectives said he was dropped off by a taxi in Edgeley after a night out with friends in Manchester city centre and assaulted minutes later. |
| Ch Supt Chris Sykes said PC Francis joined Greater Manchester Police force in 2007 and was serving at West Didsbury Police Station. | Ch Supt Chris Sykes said PC Francis joined Greater Manchester Police force in 2007 and was serving at West Didsbury Police Station. |
| He added: "Gareth was a dedicated police officer with six years' experience and he will be greatly missed by his colleagues. | He added: "Gareth was a dedicated police officer with six years' experience and he will be greatly missed by his colleagues. |
| "However, the loss will be even greater for Gareth's family and I would like to reassure them that we have a team of detectives working round-the-clock now to establish exactly what happened this morning. | "However, the loss will be even greater for Gareth's family and I would like to reassure them that we have a team of detectives working round-the-clock now to establish exactly what happened this morning. |
| "Gareth's colleagues on the South Manchester Division have been dealt a terrible blow by today's news and and welfare is being provided to any members of staff affected by this tragedy." | "Gareth's colleagues on the South Manchester Division have been dealt a terrible blow by today's news and and welfare is being provided to any members of staff affected by this tragedy." |
| His family paid tribute to "a gorgeous son" who brought "love and laughter" to their lives, the force added. | |
| A post-mortem examination will take place later to establish the cause of death. |