TWO DEAD IN WEEKEND OF VIOLENCE (From Bournemouth Echo)

TWO DEAD IN WEEKEND OF VIOLENCE

6:23am Monday 25th February 2008 in

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TWO men have died after a night of violence on Bournemouth's streets.

The first incident happened at 12.30am yesterday immediately outside the Dolphin pub in Holdenhurst Road.

The victim was 38-year-old Jason Lee Craig Peers, who was initially treated for serious head injuries.

Last night he died at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, a police spokesman confirmed.

A post mortem examination was due to be carried out today by a pathologist from the Home Office.

A 29-year-old local man, originally detained in connection with the assault, has now been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The spokesman for Dorset Police added: "Our thoughts are with the victim's family and friends at this time."

Detectives from Dorset's major crime investigation team are also investigating another serious incident which occurred within 90 minutes on the same road.

At around 2am, there was another assault outside the Subway fast food takeaway outlet, also in Holdenhurst Road, resulting in 17-year-old Nathan Ridler receiving a serious head injury and being taken to Poole Hospital and he later died.

His injuries are thought to have resulted from his head striking the pavement.

An 18-year-old Christchurch man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with this incident. A 20-year-old man arrested earlier has been released without charge.

The Echo understands it was a particularly busy weekend in Bournemouth town centre with a number of other assaults and incidents.

Numerous police officers were kept on for extra hours because of the workload.

• Police are appealing for information about both the assaults on 01202 222222 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.