- Elderly man dies after assault by teenagers
- Community mourns and expresses safety concerns
- Police launch murder investigation, seek witnesses
A friend of an 80-year-old man who died after being allegedly ‘kicked in the neck and back by a bunch of children’ paid tribute to the ‘genuine gent’.
Bhim Sen Kohli was walking his dog in Franklin Park in Leicester on Sunday evening when he was seriously assaulted by a ‘gang of teenagers.
According to post-mortem data, the grandfather died the next day in the hospital from a neck injury.
Five children, a boy and a girl, both 14, and two girls and a boy, all 12, were later arrested, but four have since been freed without prosecution.
Leicestershire Police said that the 14-year-old kid remained in police custody.
Nigel Morris, a friend, offered an emotional tribute to Mr Kohli, who ‘always had a smile’ and was ‘just a truly kind guy,’
He told BBC News, ‘I don’t understand anything. He was a proper gentleman. His voice began to shake as he continued, ‘I’m simply sick – I feel rather sick about the whole thing.’
Leicester Police has reported itself to the police watchdog following previous contact with Mr Kohli.
Detectives are ‘continuing to conduct enquiries to determine the full circumstances surrounding the event’ and are seeking anyone who came forward between 6 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.
Detective Inspector Emma Matts, the senior investigating officer, stated, ‘The circumstances surrounding Mr Kohli’s death are miserable and disturbing not only for his family and friends but also for the larger community.
We continue to assist the family through our family liaison officers, and local policing teams remain on the scene to provide comfort and discuss any issues or concerns. The family is aware of the enormous public interest in their loved one’s loss and would like to thank everyone for their warm thoughts and condolences. At this stage, the family requests privacy during this tremendously difficult time.
‘Our investigation into the assault on Mr Kohli is still underway. We keep an open mind on the circumstances surrounding the incident while investigating what happened at the park on Sunday evening. I would urge anyone who can help with our inquiry to come forward.
The force also stated that the scene preservation in the park where he was slain has now been lifted.
Mr Kohli’s 1970s semi, where he resided with his wife Satinder Kaur, 73, is the second-to-last property before the park entry, only yards from where he was assaulted. He would take his 15-year-old black and tan crossbreed dog, Rocky, for park walks daily.
His daughter stated that following the attack, her father suffered neck and spine injuries. She informed the Leicester Mercury that they pushed him and kicked him in the neck and back.
‘He was approximately 30 seconds away from reaching home. He’s always been very active and owns three allotments. We’ve lived here for forty years. She reported racing to the park and discovering her father ‘lying under a tree’.
Neighbours and others in the area said they had called the police in the last two or three months about groups of adolescents harassing Asian residents and kicking cans while climbing on home roofs.
They also said the children threw football-sized rocks at Mr Kohli. The massive stones prevent people from parking on the grass verges in the peaceful cul de sac.
One neighbour, who did not want to provide his name for fear of repercussions, stated: “Over the last two or three months, there has been a group of youngsters shouting and abusing Asian people.”
‘I’ve seen it, and while I can’t always hear what they’re saying, it’s clear what they’re doing. Police have been contacted. It’s dreadful. I don’t know why they are like this; you must wonder how they were raised.
Another neighbour, Frank Owen, 50, said: ‘It’s just been a few weeks since we’ve had this problem with a group of kids. They have been partying late into the night. I heard they were in a bungalow.
“It’s a cul-de-sac, so there’s not much point coming here unless you’re going to the park.”
David Donahue, 75, a retired aircraft engineer from Pittsburgh, United States, who is visiting his sister-in-law, stated, “We witnessed a group of kids kicking a can down the street earlier in the day. Well, we heard the noise and then saw them.
‘My sister-in-law usually walks in the park, but she has said she won’t now because she doesn’t feel safe.’
One resident stated, “I believe teenagers have previously harassed him.” I don’t know him, but I’ve seen him around.
‘That afternoon, I noticed three boys and two teenage ladies going around laughing.
‘I know someone reported kids were throwing stones at him.’
Another of Mr Kohli’s neighbours, Harjinder Kalia, 53, said: ‘I’ve been here for 35 years. He was a good person. He was always joking, not only with us but with everyone.
She continued, ‘There is no reason why somebody would do this. Sometimes, youngsters would fight in the park.
Mr Kohli, a retired factory owner, leaves behind his distraught wife, three daughters, and two grandkids.
Deep Singh Kalia, 70, a long-time friend and neighbour of Mr Kohli, told the Sun: “He was such a lovely guy.” It’s a nasty shock. I would meet with him every day. We were both originally from Punjab, India.
He loved his allotment, his dog, and his family. He used to own a factory that produced jumpers and cardigans.
Another buddy, 55-year-old Graham Haldane, told the Telegraph that police took three days to obtain a statement.
‘He was a wonderful man who was becoming increasingly frail. He had osteoporosis and could barely move his neck,” he explained.
‘He had three plots in the allotments and worked them all year. A few months ago, he had trouble with some kids who had climbed onto the flat garage roof opposite.
‘He challenged them, and they abused and spat at him. He contacted the police, but it took them three days to come out and take a statement.
Detectives have been working with locals and aggressively seeking witnesses from the park on Sunday evening.
Emma Matts, a detective inspector, said on Tuesday: “Unfortunately, following the victim’s death last night, this has now become a murder investigation.”
‘Officers are working quickly to determine the circumstances of the attack, and we have made several arrests as we continue to investigate what transpired.
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As our investigation continues, scene preservation will be in place at the park. Local cops are also patrolling the area to reassure residents and can speak with anyone concerned.
Police say the male was wearing a black pullover and grey jogging bottoms.
Leicestershire Police said in a statement on Tuesday: ‘At 18.30 on Sunday, September 1, 2024, an 80-year-old man was assaulted near the Franklin Park entrance, Bramble Way, Braunstone Town, and died in hospital.
According to reports, the victim, who was walking his dog, was wearing a black pullover and grey jogging bottoms when a gang of young people seriously assaulted him. They departed the site before emergency personnel arrived.
‘Leicestershire Police have begun a murder inquiry and arrested five persons on suspicion of murder: a 14-year-old boy and girl, as well as a 12-year-old boy and two females. The police are currently interviewing them.
‘Detectives are currently investigating the entire circumstances of the event and interacting with individuals in the area to obtain as much information as possible. They also want to speak with anyone at the park or the nearby neighbourhood.
‘Were you at the Franklin Park or Bramble Way vicinity between 1800 and 1845 on Sunday, September 1, 2024? Have you seen the attack itself? Based on the description, did you spot the victim before the incident or a group of young people leaving the area afterwards?
‘If you have information, including pertinent digital images, videos, CCTV, or Dash-cam / Doorbell-cam recordings, please submit it through the Portal form.’
