15/06/2007

Police granted extra time to question Barrymore

Police investigating the death of Stuart Lubbock have been granted another 12 hours to continue questioning entertainer Michael Barrymore.

Barrymore, 55, was arrested along with two other men - aged 37 and 32 - on Thursday on suspicion of murder and sexual assault.

The arrests are reported to have been triggered after police received tapes of Barrymore talking about the incident for his autobiography.

Mr Lubbock, 31, from Harlow, was found dead in the swimming pool of Barrymore's former home in Roydon, near Harlow in Essex in March 2001, after going there to attend a late night party.

Post-mortem results showed that he had suffered severe internal injuries, which suggested he had been sexually assaulted.

Alcohol was found in his bloodstream, as well as ecstasy and cocaine.

This is the second time that Barrymore had been arrested in connection with the case. He was originally arrested three months after Mr Lubbock's death on drugs offences and received a caution.

The identity of the two other men arrested is not known, although reports have indicated that they are Justin Merritt and Jonathan Kenny, who were also arrested in connection with Mr Lubbock's death in 2001, but not charged.

It was revealed on Friday afternoon that the 32-year-old man will also be held for another 12 hours, while a decision will be made on the 37-year-old later on Friday.

Essex Police carried out an investigation into Mr Lubbock's death at the time, but no-one was charged.

A new inquiry was announced in December 2006. The Independent Police Complaints Commission has also launched an investigation.

(KMcA/JM)


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10 September 2007
Barrymore Not Facing Charges
Entertainer Michael Barrymore will not face charges over the death of Stuart Lubbock, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Essex CPS said in a statement it had advised the police that no one should be charged over Mr Lubbock's death.
14 June 2007
Barrymore arrested over Stuart Lubbock death
Three people, including Michael Barrymore, have been arrested in connection with the death of Stuart Lubbock, the man found dead in a swimming pool at the entertainer's former home. Essex Police confirmed that the men - Barrymore and two men aged 37 and 32 - have been arrested on suspicion of murder and serious sexual assault.
10 February 2006
No prosecution for Barrymore
Television personality Michael Barrymore will not face a private prosecution over the death of a man at his home five years ago. At Southend Magistrates' Court today, a district judge blocked the private prosecution, relating to the death of Stuart Lubbock, ruling that there was insufficient evidence.
18 June 2007
Barrymore released without charge
Entertainer Michael Barrymore has been released without charge following his arrest in connection with the death of Stuart Lubbock. Mr Barrymore, 55, was arrested along with two other men - Jonathan Kenny, 37, and 32-year-old Justin Merritt - last Thursday on suspicion of murder and sexual assault.
01 March 2007
IPCC to investigation Lubbock death
The Independent Police Complaints Commission will manage an investigation into alleged failures in the police investigation into the death of Stuart Lubbock, the man whose body was found in Michael Barrymore's swimming pool.