Police launch murder investigation after south London assault victim dies in hospital

A murder investigation has been launched by police after a south London assault victim died.

Scotland Yard opened the investigation after 55-year-old Carl O'Brien died in hospital almost three weeks after sustaining serious head injuries.

On December 3 police were called shortly before midnight to a south London hospital by a relative of a man that had been assaulted.

The victim had been attacked in the early hours of that morning in a communal stairwell of flats at 12 Vanguard Way in Wallington.

On December 23, officers were informed that the victim had died in hospital. Next of kin have been informed.

• Information to the incident room on 020 8721 4054, via the police non-emergency number 101, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and crimestoppers-uk.org.

A post-mortem examination will be held due course.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are now leading the investigation and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them.

• A 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged with GBH in connection with this investigation.