Dog walker, 80, killed in Leicester park as five children aged 12-14 arrested for murder

3 September 2024, 12:27 | Updated: 5 September 2024, 11:00

A dog walker aged 80 has been beaten to death in a park, with five children arrested on suspicion of murder.

The attack took place in Franklin Park in Leicester on Sunday evening.

The victim was rushed to hospital before dying late on Monday.

Police have arrested a boy and a girl aged 14 and a boy and two girls aged 12 on suspicion of murder. They are currently being interviewed by police.

The attack happened around 6.30pm on Sunday, close to the park entrance in Bramble Way.

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The victim, who was walking his dog, was wearing a black jumper and grey joggers, when he was attacked by a group of young people, police said. They left the area before the emergency services arrived.

Police are still trying to establish the full circumstances of the attack. They want to speak to anyone who was in the park between 6pm and 6.45pm on Sunday evening.

Detective Inspector Emma Matts, senior investigating officer, 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.

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"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?"

Due to prior police contact with the victim, the force will be making a voluntary referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC). 

Anyone with information relating to the investigation is asked to report via the public portal https://mipp.police.uk/operation/33EM24I50-PO1