Dog walker, 80, dies after being ‘attacked by group of children at park’: Three girls and two boys, aged 12 to 14, are arrested for murder
An elderly man has tragically died in hospital after a group of schoolchildren allegedly attacked him while he was walking his dog in the park.
Leicestershire Police today confirmed five children – three as young as 12 – had been arrested on suspicion of murder after the man, 80, last night succumbed to his injuries.
The force said the alleged attackers, a boy and a girl aged 14 and two girls and one boy aged 12, are currently in custody being questioned.
Officers today said the victim had been raced to hospital after Sunday’s attack.
They said that the man had been ‘seriously’ assaulted at 6.30pm while walking his dog at Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, Leicester.
An elderly man has tragically died in hospital after a group of schoolchildren allegedly attacked him while he was walking his dog in the park. Leicestershire Police today confirmed five children – three as young as 12 – had been arrested on suspicion of murder after the man, 80, last night succumbed to his injuries
The force said the alleged attackers, a boy and a girl aged 14 and two girls and one boy aged 12, are currently in custody being questioned. Officers today said the victim had been raced to hospital after Sunday’s attack. They said that the man had been ‘seriously’ assaulted at 6.30pm while walking his dog at Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, Leicester
He was found fighting for his life, after he was allegedly attacked by a group of youths – who took off before emergency services arrived.
A schoolgirl, 14, had been arrested on Monday.
The force today said they had launched a murder probe after the man died in the hours that followed, and confirmed more schoolchildren had been arrested.
They are now pleading for witnesses to come forward.
The victim’s daughter yesterday told of how her father had been left with neck and spine injuries after the attack.
As the victim had previous contact with the police, the force has now also voluntarily referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Detectives have been working with local residents and are actively seeking witnesses who were in the park on Sunday evening to come forward.
Detective Inspector Emma Matts said: ‘Sadly, following the death of the victim last night, this has now become a murder investigation.
‘Officers are continuing to work at speed to establish the details of the attack and we have made a number of arrests as we continue to understand what has happened.
‘A scene preservation will remain in place at the park while our investigation progresses. Local officers are also in the area carrying out reassurance patrols and can speak to anyone in the local community who has concerns.’
Police believe the man had been wearing a black jumper and grey jogging bottoms.
Leicestershire Police said in a statement today: ‘At 18.30 on Sunday 1st September 2024, an 80-year-old man was assaulted near the Franklin Park entrance, Bramble way, Braunstone Town, and later died in hospital.
‘It is reported the victim, who was walking his dog, is believed to have been wearing a black jumper and grey jogging bottoms and was seriously assaulted by a group of young people. They left the scene prior to emergency services arriving.
‘Leicestershire Police have launched a murder investigation and have arrested five people – a boy and a girl aged 14 and one boy and two girls aged 12 – on suspicion of murder. They are currently being interviewed by police.
‘Detectives are currently working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and are speaking to residents in the area to gather as much information as possible. They also wish speak to anyone who was in the park or in the surrounding area.
‘Were you in the area of Franklin Park or Bramble Way from 1800 to 1845 on Sunday 1st September 2024? Did you see the attack itself? From the description given did you see the victim before the incident or possibly a group of young people leaving the area after?
‘If you have information, and if you have relevant digital photos, videos, CCTV, or Dash-cam / Doorbell-cam footage please submit via the Portal form.’