The PSA walker was “abused and spat at” for months before he was “beaten to death”, a friend has revealed.
Bhim Sen Kohli (80) tragically died in hospital after he was allegedly attacked in Franklin Park, near Leicester, at around 6.30pm on Sunday night.
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Bhim Sen Kohli was ‘kicked to death while walking his dog’ and died of ‘neck injury’
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Officers at the scene in Franklin Park, LeicesterCredit: PA
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14-year-old boy remains in police custody Credit: SWNS
Five young men, including a 14-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl and two 12-year-old girls, were arrested after the horror on suspicion of murder.
The 14-year-old boy remains in custody while officers have confirmed that the other four have been released “without further action”.
Now a friend has claimed that Bhim was spat on by a group of teenagers outside his home earlier this summer.
Graham Haldane told the Mirror how Bhim told the youths to climb onto the roof of a neighboring garage before calling the police.
A friend, who knew Bhim from local places, said it took the officers three days to respond.
He said: “Bhim had a problem a few months ago with some children climbing onto the flat roof of the garage opposite.
“He challenged them, and they insulted and spat at him.
“He called the police about it, but it took them three days to come and take a statement.
“He was a fragile guy and he wasn’t a threat to anyone. I just can’t believe someone turned on him.”
A neighbor told the Telegraph: “They were playing late into the night. My friend said they were throwing stones.”
Another neighbor said: “Big stones, like you would have on the driveway, were being thrown at the same gentleman.
– It was a few nights before the incident, the same man.
The autopsy showed that the cause of the pensioner’s death was a “neck injury”.
Dog walker, 80, ‘bruised to death’ in park attack, named as girl, 12, among five children arrested for murder
Before he died, Bhim’s daughter told the Leicester Mercury: “They pushed him, they kicked him in the neck, in the spine.”
She continued: “He took the dog for a walk. He was about 30 seconds away from returning home when he was attacked.
“He was lying under a tree and first complained about his neck, and now he can’t move his legs.
“We have lived here for 40 years and recently there has been a lot of anti-social behaviour, which has been reported to the police.”
In an updated statement, a spokesman for Leicestershire Police said: “Mr Kohli, from Leicester, was taken to hospital following the incident but died yesterday (Monday, September 2) evening.
“The autopsy has now been performed and confirmed that he died as a result of a neck injury, further tests are pending.
“Since then, a murder investigation has been launched and five people – a 14-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy and two girls – have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
“The 14-year-old boy remains in police custody. The other four were released by the police without further action.
“Detectives are continuing with the investigation in order to determine all the circumstances of the event.
“They continue to appeal to anyone who was in the area of the park or Bramble Way between 6pm and 6.45pm to come forward.”
Leicestershire Police referred the Independent Policing Conduct Office over “prior contact” between officers and Bhim.
An IOPC spokesman said: “We can confirm that we have received a referral from Leicestershire Police in relation to this case.
“We will carry out an assessment in due course to decide what further action may be required from us.”
Locals described the grandfather of two as a “gentle” man who took his four-legged friend out every day.
Nigel Morris, 57, who has a plot similar to Bhim’s, said: “Bhim and his wife were always on the plot – they were there every day.
“I talked to him most days. We would talk about general things. If he was going to India, about his family and things related to growth.
“He had three plots where he grew anything and everything very well. He was very good. It was his life.
“We knew something had happened, but we didn’t know who it was. We came down after we found out.
“I went to the lots and there were a few people there who were very shocked. It’s horrible, horrible. Just horrible.
“He was a wonderful man. I can’t imagine he would have done anything to provoke this. I don’t know what to say.”
Meanwhile, longtime friend and neighbor Deep Singh Kalia, 70, had known Bhim for more than 30 years.
He said: “He was such a lovely guy. It’s a terrible shock. I would see him every day.
“We are both originally from Punjab, India. He loved his property, and his dog, and his family.
“He was the owner of a factory that made sweaters and cardigans. I don’t know why anyone would want to do something like this to him.
“He was just a very nice man who wouldn’t have done anything to provoke this.
“I heard that he had a fight and that he was pushed and must have broken his neck.
“He was always joking, I don’t know anyone who had a problem with him.
“I was with his wife. He was very popular and a lot of people come to apologize.
“He was thin but very fit because he was working on his plot all the time.”
Kalia’s wife, Harjinder, 53, said: “It’s just horrible. Bhim wouldn’t harm anyone.”
And a message on one bouquet left by a well-wisher at the scene read: “To Bhim’s family – we are sorry for your loss.
“All of Braunstone is horrified and in shock at what has happened. I am thinking of you all in your time of need.”
Bhim is believed to have been seriously assaulted by a group of youths near the park entrance who then fled the scene.
The pensioner was hit in the neck and spine and left screaming in pain, his grieving daughter said.
The group fled before emergency services arrived and took Bhim to hospital where he died.
The neighbor added: “I heard a commotion outside and he was lying in the park, screaming in pain. He said he had been pushed violently.”
Paying tribute, another friend said, “Bhim was my friend and we had our plots next to each other.
“He lived to tend to his plot and grow amazing vegetables and he didn’t threaten anyone.
“Kind and considerate man. If anyone has information please pass it on to the police. May he rest in peace.”
BRUTAL ATTACK
Officers are keen to speak to anyone who was in the park or in the Bramble Way area between 6pm and 6.45pm on Sunday night.
They said Bhim was believed to be wearing a black jumper and gray jogging bottoms.
Detective Inspector Emma Matts said: “Unfortunately, following the death of the victim last night, this has now become a homicide investigation.
“Police officers are continuing their accelerated work to determine the details of the attack.
“We have made a number of arrests as we continue to understand what happened.
“We still need people who were in the area to come forward if they saw anything or have any information that could help.
“Were you in the Franklin Park or Bramble Way area around 6.30pm on Sunday night? Did you see the attack itself?
“According to the given description, did you see the victim before the incident or perhaps a group of young people who left the area afterwards?
“Scene protection will remain in place at the park while our investigation continues.
“Local officers are also in the area carrying out reassurance patrols and can speak to anyone in the local community who has concerns.”
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An autopsy revealed that Bhim died as a result of a neck injuryCredit: PA
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Police released four of the five arrested youths without further actionCredit: PA
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The pensioner had reportedly previously complained to the police about anti-social behavior in the areaCredit: PA
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Police said no action was taken and Leicestershire Police had spoken to the Chief Constable.
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