Leicester: Five children arrested for fatal attack on 80-year-old dog walker
- Five children, including two aged 14 and three aged 12, have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of an 80-year-old man who was attacked in a park.
- The incident occurred at Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, Leicester, where the victim was assaulted while walking his dog on Sunday evening.
- The police are conducting a murder investigation and are appealing for witnesses to come forward to assist in understanding the circumstances of the attack.
On Sunday evening, an 80-year-old man was seriously assaulted in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town, Leicester, while walking his dog. The attack occurred near the park's Bramble Way entrance around 18:30 BST, and the victim later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. In the wake of this tragic event, Leicestershire Police arrested five children, two of whom are 14 years old and three are 12, on suspicion of murder. The police have initiated a murder investigation and are actively working to gather evidence and establish the details surrounding the attack. Officers have been engaging with local residents and are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who may have witnessed the victim before the assault or seen a group of young people leaving the area. In light of prior police contact with the victim, the police force will be making a voluntary referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC). This step underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for transparency in the investigation. Detective Inspector Emma Matts has expressed the urgency of the investigation, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in identifying witnesses. A scene preservation remains in place at the park as officers continue their inquiries and conduct reassurance patrols in the local area.