Five minors have been arrested in connection with the fatal assault of an 80-year-old man in a park in Leicestershire. The elderly victim, who was walking his dog in Braunstone Town, was brutally attacked on Sunday and succumbed to his injuries in the hospital the following evening.
The suspects include two 14-year-olds—a boy and a girl—and three 12-year-olds—two girls and a boy—who are currently being questioned by authorities. The incident took place around 6:30 p.m. near the entrance of Franklin Park on Bramble Way.
At the time of the assault, the victim was reportedly wearing a black jumper and grey jogging bottoms. Witnesses said the attackers fled the scene before emergency responders arrived.
The man’s daughter, who spoke to LeicestershireLive on Monday, recounted discovering her father lying on the ground after hearing noises outside her home. She explained that he was just moments away from reaching his house when the attack occurred.
“He was lying under the tree. At first, he was complaining about his neck, but now he can’t move his legs,” she shared. She mentioned that her father had been transported to a hospital in Nottingham with severe spinal injuries and was awaiting surgery.
Braunstone Town is situated approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) southwest of Leicester city centre. Police are maintaining a presence at the scene and have called on anyone with information to come forward.
