A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder in connection with the brutal death of an elderly man just metres from his home while he was walking his dog.
Bhim Sen Kohli, 80, was ‘severely’ assaulted while walking his dog in Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, Leicester, at around 6.30pm on Sunday. He later died in hospital.
After Leicestershire Police, the unit investigating the tragic death, said yesterday that five children, a boy and a girl aged 14 and two girls and a boy aged 12, were being questioned, said all suspects except the 14-year-old boy were released without charge.
Police confirmed yesterday, after an autopsy, that Kohli died “of a neck injury”, but added that further tests were needed.
Mr Kohli’s wife, Satinder, 73, was seen yesterday laying flowers at a memorial near the spot where he died, along with friends, family and Rocky, the dog he was walking when he was attacked.
Bhim Sen Kohli, 80, (pictured with his wife Satinder) was ‘severely’ assaulted by a ‘group of youths’ while walking his dog in Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, Leicester at around 6.30pm on Sunday
Mr Kohli’s wife, 73-year-old Satinder, was seen laying flowers at a memorial near the spot where he died
She was seen with Rocky, the dog Mr Kohli was walking when he died (pictured)
His family said in a statement issued yesterday through Leicestershire Police: “Bhim was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was also a son, brother and uncle. He adored his grandchildren with all his heart and loved spending time with them.
“He was such a loving, caring person, whose life revolved around his family.
He has always been a hardworking man and even at the age of 80 he was still very active. One of his great passions was his vegetable garden, he went to his vegetable garden every day to tend it and was so proud of it. He also enjoyed walking the family dog Rocky through the park several times a day.
‘Bhim loved to laugh. He was always very cheerful and talkative, the joker of the family and always loved to outsmart us with a smile. Our family have lived in the same house in Braunstone for 40 years so he was very well known in the community – we have been overwhelmed by the messages and support from so many who knew him.
“Our hearts are completely broken. We are now pulling together as a family to support each other during the most difficult time imaginable and we ask for your privacy as we do this.”
Undated family photo issued by Leicestershire Police of Bhim Kohli
Flowers and tributes to Bhim Kohli are left at the Bramble Way entrance to Franklin Park on September 4, 2024 in Leicester, England
Neighbors and other residents in the area said they had called police in the past two or three months about gangs of youths assaulting Asian residents
Neighbours and other residents in the area said they had called the police in the past two or three months about gangs of young people assaulting Asian residents, and had seen young people kicking cans and climbing onto roofs of bungalows.
They also said children had thrown football-sized stones at Mr Kohli. The large rocks are used to deter people from parking on the grass verges in the quiet cul-de-sac, but several were gone when a Daily Mail reporter was in the area.
One neighborwho did not want to give his name for fear of reprisals, said: ‘For the past two or three months there was a group of young people shouting and insulting Asian people.
“I’ve seen it, I haven’t always been able to hear exactly what they’re saying, but it’s clear what they’re doing. The police have been called. It’s horrible. I don’t know why they’re like that, you have to wonder how they were raised.”
Another neighbour, 50-year-old Frank Owen, said: ‘We’ve only had this kind of problem in the last few weeks with a bunch of kids. They’ve been playing until late at night. I’ve heard they were in a bungalow.’
“It’s a dead end street, so unless you’re coming here for a reason, there’s not much point unless you’re going to the park.”
The alleged attack took place on Sunday evening and left Mr Kohli seriously injured before he sadly passed away last night
Mr Kohli was walking his dog, Rocky (pictured), in the park when the alleged attack took place
Forensic investigators were seen at the crime scene in Braunstone Town on Tuesday
Police officers were photographed entering and exiting the area of the park where the alleged attack took place
David Donahue, 75, a retired aircraft engineer from Pittsburgh, US, who is visiting his sister-in-law, said: ‘We saw a group of kids kicking a can down the street earlier in the day. Well, we heard the noise and then we saw them.
‘My sister-in-law regularly walks in the park, but has said she will not do so anymore. She does not feel safe.’
Another neighbour of Mr Kohil, Harjinder Kalia, 53, said: ‘I have lived here for 35 years, he was a nice person, he was always joking, to everyone, not just us but to everyone.
She added: “There’s no reason why anyone would do this. Sometimes kids would fight in the park.”
Leicestershire Police have reported themselves to the police supervisor due to previous contact with the victim.