MURDER hunt detectives were today quizzing two people in connection with the death of a 53-year-old father from Burnley.

A 28-year-old man and a woman in her 20s were being questioned by police investigating the suspicious death of John Stoiles.

Mr Stoiles, known in the Stoneyholme area as Johnny, was assaulted in the Duke Bar area at 4pm last Wednesday outside The Furniture Corner, Hebrew Road, Burnley.

Police said they believed Mr Stoiles intervened in a fight and at some stage he was struck with an implement.

He did not go to Burnley General Hospital immediately, but did attend casualty later of his own accord.

Mr Stoiles was found dead on Saturday lying on the floor of his home in Ashley Street, Stoneyholme.

Neighbours said he had been found by his son Gary.

Detective Chief Inspector Irene Wilson said: "Two people, a man and a woman from the Burnley area, were arrested during the night and will be interviewed during the day.

"Today we have got other inquiries continuing into the incident on Wednesday.

"We were aware of the initial incident, but it was not reported to us by Mr Stoiles."

A post mortem examination carried out by Home Office Pathologist Dr John Rutherford revealed Mr Stoiles had died from internal injuries he had received during the assault. Mr Stoiles was estranged from his wife and was unemployed.

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