DETECTIVES hope friends and associates of a man who is critically ill in hospital can help them establish what happened to him.

Essex Police believe Stuart Coldicott, 36, suffered head injuries in an assault near St Botolph's Priory in Colchester on Saturday, January 11. He was seen that evening with a number of cuts and bruises.

However, his condition was only brought to the attention of officers five weeks later on Saturday lunchtime.

Mr Coldicott is in a critical but stable condition, and police have not been able to speak to him.

They are looking to find his friends and relatives to establish his movements.

Anyone with information on the assault or who know Stuart should contact detectives at Colchester police station on 101.

Senior Investigating Officer, DI Mark Watson, said: "We are looking to establish Stuart sustained these injuries as we’ve been unable to speak to him while he has been in hospital.

"They may have arisen as a result of an accident he had or have been inflicted by someone who attacked him. We would like people to come forward with information.”

A man, 51, from the town was arrested on Sunday in connection with this ongoing investigation and is currently on police bail until Friday, April 25.