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 that five children, three of them aged just 12, have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the 80-year-old man succumbed to his injuries last night.
The suspected attackers, a 14-year-old boy and girl and two 12-year-old girls and a boy, are currently in custody and are being questioned.
The victim was rushed to hospital after the ‘attack’ on Sunday at Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, Leicester.
Officers said he had been “seriously” assaulted at 6.30pm while walking his dog at his local shop.
An elderly man has tragically died in hospital after a group of schoolchildren allegedly attacked him while he was walking his dog in Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, Leicester.
Leicestershire Police today confirmed that five children, three of them aged just 12, have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the 80-year-old man succumbed to his injuries last night.
The alleged attack occurred on Sunday night and the elderly man died last night.
He was found fighting for his life, after being allegedly attacked by a group of youths, who fled before emergency services arrived.
A 14-year-old schoolgirl was arrested on Monday.
The force said today it had launched a murder investigation after the man died in the following hours, and confirmed that more schoolchildren had been arrested.
They are now calling for witnesses to come forward.
The victim’s daughter said yesterday that her father was left with neck and spinal injuries following the attack.
As the victim had 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 night to come forward.
Detective Inspector Emma Matts said: ‘Sadly, following the death of the victim last night, this has now become a murder investigation.
Police were still guarding the entrance to the park this morning.
‘Officers continue to work quickly to establish the details of the attack and we have made a number of arrests as we continue to understand what happened.
‘A scene preservation device will remain in place at the park while our investigation continues. Local officers are also in the area carrying out safety patrols and are welcome to speak to anyone in the local community who has concerns.’
Police believe the man was wearing a black sweater and grey sweatpants.
Leicestershire Police said in a statement today: ‘At 6.30pm on Sunday 1st September 2024, an 80-year-old man was assaulted near the entrance to Franklin Park, Bramble Way, Braunstone Town, and later died in hospital.
‘The victim, who was walking his dog, was reportedly wearing a black jumper and grey tracksuit bottoms and was severely assaulted by a group of youths. They left the scene before emergency services arrived.
Leicestershire Police have launched a murder investigation and arrested five people (a boy and a girl aged 14 and a boy and two girls aged 12) on suspicion of murder. They are currently being questioned 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 are also keen to speak to anyone who was in or around the park.
‘Were you in the Franklin Park or Bramble Way area between 18:00 and 18:45 on Sunday 1 September 2024? Did you see the attack itself? From the description provided, did you see the victim prior to the incident or possibly a group of youths leaving the area afterwards?’
‘If you have any information, relevant digital photographs, videos, CCTV or dash cam or doorbell footage, please submit it via the Portal form.’
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