More time for soldier murder inquiry

Private Dobson was serving at Marchwood Military Port

Police investigating the barracks death of a soldier have been granted a 26-hour extension to continue questioning a suspect.

Private Andrew Dobson, 23, from Dumfries, was found dead at Marchwood Barracks near Southampton, Hampshire, on Sunday evening.

A post-mortem examination revealed he had been strangled.

A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is being questioned at Lyndhurst police station.

Single man

Private Dobson was found collapsed in his room at 2020 GMT on Sunday by a colleague.

He was taken to Southampton General Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Private Dobson was serving with 17 Port & Maritime Regiment.

He was a single man, who has family in Dumfries and north Wales.

'No gunshot wounds'

Part of the accommodation block where Private Dobson lived was sealed off while a forensic examination was carried out.

He had not suffered gunshot wounds and Hampshire police revealed on Monday that there were no obvious signs of injury to his body.

Civilian detectives began investigating the death after they were called in by Ministry of Defence police.

Marchwood Military Port, to the west of Southampton, is used to store vehicles and supplies ready for loading on Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships.