A MAN who was brutally attacked in Bournemouth town centre died six years later as a result of his injuries - but the man identified as his killer is a free man.

Robert Carr suffered severe brain damage during the assault in February 1996 and almost died at the time, an inquest heard.

He spent the rest of his life in hospitals and nursing homes, unable to speak, walk or feed himself, before succumbing to a chest infection earlier this year.

The inquest at Bournemouth heard that Mr Carr's attacker, Christian Fisher, was jailed for three years in 1997 after admitting grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mr Carr suffered a fatal heart attack soon after being admitted to Salisbury District Hospital with dehydration and bronchopneumonia on February 14 this year.

"This was a man who was severely disabled and very dependent on others. If it hadn't been for his brain injuries, I could see no reason why an otherwise fit and healthy 51-year-old man should be expected to die," said Home Office pathologist Dr Allan Anscombe.

He added that in 1996, he had concluded that Mr Carr's head injuries were caused by kicking and stamping. But at the time the attack took place there could be no charge of murder if a victim survived longer than a year and a day, the inquest was told.

Detective Sergeant David James told the inquest Fisher telephoned the police after the assault saying he had murdered his friend. Officers went to St Stephen's Church and found Mr Carr on the ground. Det Sgt James said Fisher, who now lives in Wales, was aware of Mr Carr's death and that an inquest was taking place.

District coroner Sheriff Payne said he was unable to record a verdict of unlawful killing. Instead, he ruled that Mr Carr had died as a delayed consequence of injuries sustained in the assault.

After the inquest, Mr Carr's sister Linda Bardsley, of Wallisdown, said Fisher had never apologised. "It's been six years of hell. Robert had no life at all - it would have been better if he had been left to die," she said.

Her husband Norman said: "There's no real justice."