OAP'S HORROR
Dog walker, 80, ‘spat on and pelted with rocks by teens’ before he was ‘kicked to death’ as boy, 14, held over ‘murder’
The pensioner had previously made complaints to police about anti-social behaviour involving kids in the area
AN 80-YEAR-OLD dog walker was allegedly spat on and pelted with rocks by teens before he was kicked to death, locals claim.
Bhim Sen Kohli, 80, tragically died in hospital after he was allegedly attacked in Franklin Park, near Leicester, at around 6.30pm on Sunday evening.
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Five youths including a boy and girl aged 14 and two girls aged 12 were arrested on suspicion of murder after the horror.
A 14-year-old boy remains in custody while cops confirmed the other four have been released "with no further action".
Now a friend has claimed Bhim was spat at by a group of teens outside his home earlier this summer.
Another local told how local youths had thrown "big rocks" at the 80-year-old.
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Graham Haldane told how Bhim told off the yobs for climbing on a neighbouring garage roof before calling police.
The friend, who knew Bhim from the local allotments, said it took cops three days to respond.
He said: "Bhim had some bother a few months back with some kids who had climbed onto the flat garage roof opposite.
"He challenged them and they dished out some abuse and spat at him.
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"He rang the police about it but it took them three days to come round and take a statement.
"He was a frail guy and wasn't a threat to anyone. I just can't believe someone has had a dig at him."
Dog walker, 80, ‘kicked to death’ in park attack is named as girls, 12, among five children arrested over murder
A neighbour told the Telegraph: "They’ve been playing up late at night. My friend said they were throwing stones."
Another neighbour said: “The big rocks, the sort you would have on a driveway, they were throwing them at the same gentleman.
"It was a few nights before the incident, the same man."
A post-mortem examination revealed the pensioner's cause of death was "a neck injury".
Before he died Bhim's daughter told the Leicester Mercury: "They pushed him, they kicked him in the neck, kicked him in the spine."
She continued: "He had been taking the dog for a walk. He was about 30 seconds away from getting home when he was attacked.
"He was lying under the tree and at first he was complaining about his neck and now he's not able to move his legs.
"We've lived here for 40 years and just recently there's been a lot of antisocial behaviour, which has been reported to the police."
It comes as...
- Mr Kohli succumbed to his injuries in hospital on Tuesday night after he was attacked just seconds away from his home
- Five children were arrested on suspicion of murder but all but a 14-year-old boy were released without charge
- Leicester Police also reported itself to the police watchdog due to previous contact with Mr Kohli
- One friend claimed he was spat at by a group of teens outside his home earlier this summer
- Another local told how local youths had thrown "big rocks" at the 80-year-old
In an updated statement, a Leicestershire Police spokesperson said: "Mr Kohli, from Leicester, was taken to hospital following the incident but died yesterday (Monday 2 September) evening.
"A post-mortem examination has now been carried out and confirmed he died as a result of a neck injury, pending further tests.
"A murder investigation has since been launched and five people – a boy and a girl aged 14 and one boy and two girls aged 12 – were arrested on suspicion of murder.
"The 14-year-old boy remains in police custody. The other four have been released by police with no further action.
"Detectives are continuing to carry out enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
"They continue to appeal for anyone who was in the area of the park or Bramble Way between 6pm and 6.45pm to come forward."
Leicestershire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to "prior contact" between officers and Bhim.
A spokesman for the IOPC said: "We can confirm that we have received a referral from Leicestershire Police in relation to this matter.
"We will carry out an assessment in due course to decide what further action may be required from us."
Locals described the grandfather-of-two as a "gentle" man who took his four-legged companion named Rocky out daily.
Nigel Morris, 57, who has an allotment similar to Bhim's, paid tribute to the grandfather and said he "felt sick" over the tragedy.
Speaking to BBC News, Mr Morris said: "He always had a smile. He was just a genuinely nice guy.
"I don't understand any of this. He was a proper gent. I'm just sick - I feel quite sick about the whole thing."
Mr Morris had earlier said: "Bhim and his wife were always on the allotment - every day they were there.
"I spoke to him most days. We'd talk about general things. If he was going to India, about his family and allotment stuff to do with growing.
"He had three plots where he grew anything and everything very well. He was very good. It was his life.
"We knew something had happened but we didn't know who it was. We came down after finding out.
"I went up to the allotments and there were a couple of people there who were very shocked. It's horrendous, horrible. Just awful.
"He was a lovely man. I can't imagine he would have done anything to provoke this. I don't know what to say."
'HORRIBLE SHOCK'
Meanwhile long-time friend and neighbour Deep Singh Kalia, 70, had known Bhim for over 30 years.
He said: "He was such a lovely guy. It is a horrible shock. I would meet up with him every day.
"We were both originally from the Punjab in India. He loved his allotment, and loved his dog, and loved his family.
"He used to own a factory that made jumpers and cardigans. I don't know why anyone would have wanted to do something like this to him.
"He was just a very nice man who wouldn't have done anything to provoke this.
"I have heard he got into an argument and they pushed him over and he must have broken his neck.
"He was joking all the time. I don't know anyone who had a problem with him.
"I have been to see his wife. He was very popular and a lot of people are coming to say sorry.
"He was skinny, but very fit because he worked on his allotment all the time."
Mr Kalia's wife, Harjinder, 53, said: "It is just awful. Bhim wouldn't have harmed anyone."
And a message on one bouquet left by a well-wisher at the scene read: "To Bhim's family - sorry for your loss.
"All of Braunstone is horrified by what happened and in shock. Thinking of you all in your time of need."
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It is believed Bhim was seriously assaulted by a group of young people near the park entrance who then fled the scene.
The pensioner was allegedly kicked in the neck and spine and left screaming in pain, his grieving daughter said.
A group fled before emergency services arrived and took Bhim to hospital where he died.
A neighbour added: "I heard a commotion outside and he was lying in the park, screaming in pain. He said he was violently pushed over."
Paying tribute, another friend said: "Bhim was my friend and we had our allotments next to each other.
"He lived to attend his allotment and grew amazing veg and was not a threat to anyone.
"He was a kind and considerate man. If anyone has any information please pass it onto the police. May he rest in peace."
BRUTAL ATTACK
Cops want to speak to anyone who was in the park or in the area of Bramble Way between 6pm and 6.45pm on Sunday evening.
They said Bhim is believed to have been wearing a black jumper and grey jogging bottoms.
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.
"We have made a number of arrests as we continue to understand what has happened.
"We still need people who were in the area to come forward if they have seen anything or have any information which could assist.
"Were you in the area of Franklin Park or Bramble Way around 6.30pm on Sunday night? 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?
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"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."
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