Five arrested over football fan's murder seven years after attack

10 June 2022, 09:21 | Updated: 10 June 2022, 10:13

Simon Dobbin died after an altercation with other football fans
Simon Dobbin died after an altercation with other football fans. Picture: Alamy/Family photo

By Will Taylor

Five men have been arrested on suspicion of murdering football fan Simon Dobbin, who was left unable to walk or talk for five years before dying.

The Cambridge United fan was attacked as he walked to a railway station after a match against Southend United in 2015.

Mr Dobbin was left with permanent brain damage and died at his home in Mildenhall, Suffolk, in October 2020, aged 48.

Essex Police said medical tests showed a direct link between his death and his injuries.

Five men, aged 27, 30, 34, 39 and 45, were arrested at addresses throughout south Essex on Friday morning and have been held in custody for questioning.

Mr Dobbin died five years after he was attacked
Mr Dobbin died five years after he was attacked. Picture: Essex Police

Detective Superintendent Stephen Jennings, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate: "We are also speaking to a number of people who we are considering as witnesses in order to gather their accounts.

"Simon's wife, Nicole, and their daughter, Emily, have been kept updated on our progress every step of the way.

"Simon was a completely innocent party in the disorder that took place that day and his family have been through an unimaginable time.

Police set up a cordon after a clash between Mr Dobbin and Southend fans
Police set up a cordon after a clash between Mr Dobbin and Southend fans. Picture: Alamy

"The injuries Simon sustained that day did not just change his life, they also changed the lives of Nicole and Emily.

"As a team, we will do everything we possibly can to secure justice for Nicole, Emily and Simon's wider family and friends."

Mr Dobbin was a father of three who had served in the RAF.

Previously, 13 people were convicted and sentenced in connection with the incident on 21 March 2015.

Updates to follow

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Carl Alesbrook, 19, was found guilty of murdering Elijah Shemwell on 11 July

Teenager handed indefinite jail sentence after shaking partner's baby to death

No 10 has apologised after meat and alcohol were served at a Downing Street event to celebrate the festival of Diwali, held last month

No 10 issues apology after meat and alcohol served at Downing Street event to celebrate Diwali

‘London has turned into something crazy’: Devastation of luxury shop owner after £500k worth of bags stolen in raid

‘London has turned into something crazy’: Devastation of luxury shop owner after £500k worth of bags stolen in raid

Typhoo Tea is on the brink of administration following a decline in sales

Typhoo Tea on brink of administration following decline in sales and factory break-in

Mason Rist and Max Dixon were killed in a mistaken identity attack

Four boys and man, 45, found guilty of mistaken murders of innocent Bristol teenagers Mason Rist and Max Dixon

Pregnant wife forced to direct ambulance to hospital as husband lay dying after driver 'didn't know directions'

Pregnant wife forced to direct ambulance to hospital as husband lay dying after driver 'didn't know directions'

Torrents of water have hit the streets of Portugal's Algarve region

Five minute downpour submerges streets of Algarve as flash flooding continues to devastate Europe

Recent flooding in Spain has been blamed by many on climate change

UN climate summit 'no longer fit for purpose', activists say after Cop29 host says oil is 'gift from God'

Owners Greene King announced last week The Midget in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, would be changed

Row erupts over plans to rename ‘The Midget’ pub after campaigner deemed it offensive - despite it being named after a classic car

Doyle rammed the stolen car into the police officer.

Moment teenage car thief rams police officer off motorbike during chase, leaving PC seriously hurt

From the world's richest man to a 'vaccine sceptic': Trump picks his radical right-wing cabinet.

From the world's richest man to a 'vaccine sceptic': Trump picks his radical right-wing cabinet

Exclusive
Sadiq Khan said Donald Trump should be given 'the benefit of the doubt'

'Let's give Donald Trump the benefit of the doubt,' Sadiq Khan tells LBC after war of words with president-elect

Exclusive
Sadiq Khan said: "I want to thank NX121 and all the other firearms officers" in London

Sadiq Khan thanks police officer who shot dead gangster Chris Kaba and says armed officers 'deserve our support'

Footage of the turbulence onboard the flight has been posted online

Horror moment screaming air passengers lifted out of seats in extreme turbulence as plane forced to turn back

Two typhoon jets tracked the Russian aircraft.

RAF fighter jets scrambled to monitor Russian military aircraft detected near UK airspace

Javier Milei met with Donald Trump

Chainsaw-toting Argentina president Javier Milei becomes first foreign leader to meet Trump since election