Two arrested on suspicion of Jessie James' murder

LONDON, Aug 9 (Reuters) Two men were arrested on suspicion of the murder of schoolboy Jessie James, police said today.

A 21-year-old man from Old Trafford and a 20-year-old man from Hulme were arrested in separate prisons in the north west of England.

The arrests come after a dramatic halt in the inquest into the death of James on Wednesday when police announced they would be making the arrests.

Greater Manchester Police said a witness had come forward and provided a statement which inspired the arrests after being reassured by special measures introduced at the inquest to ensure anonymity.

They urged other witnesses to come forward.

James, 15, was shot dead on his bicycle in Moss Side, an inner city area with a reputation for gang-related violence, last September.

The coroner took the unusual step of holding the inquest in a criminal court to protect witnesses afraid of reprisals.

The special measures include giving evidence anonymously behind screens and via video link and with their voices distorted.

There have been a series of shootings in Manchester in recent months, but police have denied that gun crime is out of control in the city.

REUTERS GL HS1516