PC Gareth Francis: Third arrest over death of officer

A third man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an off-duty police officer died following an assault 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 on Sunday, when he was attacked.

Two Stockport men, aged 20 and 21 were arrested on Sunday and remain in custody for questioning, police said.

A third man, 20, handed himself into a police station on Sunday night.

Police said he was also arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning

Detectives said Mr Francis was dropped off by a taxi in Edgeley after a night out with friends in Manchester city centre and was assaulted minutes later.

He was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital with a head injury and died later.

A post-mortem examination will take place later to establish the cause of death.