Machibet Login'Gentle giant' dad, 24, was beaten to death by five thugs outside Wetherspoons as he tried to break up fight | The Sun - Machibet777 Bet

A "GENTLE giant" dad was allegedly beaten to death by five thugs outside a Wetherspoons pub as he tried to break up a fight.

The good Samaritan, named locally as Reece Cox, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene after officers were called to The Clifton in Sedgley, West Midlands, shortly before midnight on Saturday.

Dad-of-one Reece Cox was the hero who stepped in to stop a fightCredit: West Midlands Police

Reece died after being violently punched and kicked outside a pubCredit: SnapperSK

Police cordoned off the Clifton Pub in Sedgley, West Midlands, at the weekendCredit: SnapperSK

Reece's devastated girlfriend looks over tributes left for him with Reece's best friendCredit: Tracey Kandohla

The dad-of-one is said to have stepped in to help an older man who was being attacked outside the pub.

A man who was at The Clifton on Saturday night told The Sun Online: "There was a group of young lads having an argument at the taxi by the pub.

"There was screaming and shouting and glasses breaking but they disappeared saying they’d be back at midnight.

"They came back and started picking on a older man in the street. I saw (Reece) outside trying to help the older bloke and he just got battered to death.

"It was all kicks and punches, no weapons and he was left to die as they ran off. It was horrendous."

Reece's heartbroken girlfriend wept as she placed flowers at the scene today.

She said: "I’m devastated. I can’t believe I’ve lost my boyfriend. I needed to be here."

'DIDN'T DESERVE TO DIE'

Forensics officers were seen scouring the crime scene for evidence on Sunday and a blue tent was set up at the scene.

A close friend of Reece said this morning: "He didn’t deserve to die like this. He was a gentle giant, not a vengeful lad.

"He was trying to protect someone in trouble, an older man who was being attacked. He wouldn’t harm a fly."

Describing Reece, the tearful pal who did not wish to be named, added: "He was a tall, big, good looking guy and everyone loved him.

"He had a little lad Cruz, who he doted on and named after David Beckham’s youngest son. He’s only four and has no daddy now. It’s so sad."

Local resident, Jeanette Clouds said: "He wasn’t stabbed, but was trying to break up a fight between a group of lads and some of them turned on him. He got beaten up and hit over the head and he passed away."

Another witness who did not want to be named added: "There were five lads on one, the bouncers didn’t do anything to stop it, if they had only stepped in to help, the lad could still be alive."

'Gentle giant' Reece died following a violent street assault outside a pub on Saturday nightCredit: West Midlands Police

He was killed while trying to intercept a group of ladsCredit: SnapperSK

A Wetherspoon spokesperson yesterday insisted that security guards had tried to save the life of dying Reece.

He told The Sun Online: "The door staff are not employed directly by Wetherspoons but by a local company we are not naming.

"The door staff put the young man in the recovery position outside the pub but unfortunately he passed away.

"We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the individual who passed away."

TRIBUTES PAID

Tributes have since poured in for the dad-of-one, with one pal writing on Facebook: "Rest in peace brother, you were only trying to do the right thing and will forever be remembered for your kind, gentle actions towards others."

Another person wrote: “RIP Reece. Your baby will be taught what a real man his dad was. You’re in a better place.”

Others have laid flowers at the scene, with one note reading: "RIP big fella, love and thoughts during these sad times."

Police have launched a murder probe and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Det Insp Laura Harrison, of Force CID, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of this young man who has sadly lost his life.

“We are in the early stages of our investigations but we understand he may have tried to intervene in a fight when he was fatally injured.

“I believe the community of Sedgley will respond as we appeal for anyone we have not yet spoken with and who may have information about what happened last night to get in touch with us.”

'ATTACKED BY GROUP'

JD Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon told Black Country Live: “The pub’s CCTV shows a group of males by the taxi rank at the side of the pub attacking another male.

“The individual managed to get away and ran to the front of the pub where he was let in for his own safety.

“The group then started attacking another male. Once the group dispersed, door staff at the pub went to assist him on the floor putting him in the recovery position.

“We understand that this person died on his way to the hospital.

“No members of the group or the two men who were attacked had been in the pub.”

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Dudley Neighbourhood Commander Jason Anderson, said: “Neighbourhood officers from Dudley will be patrolling the area over the coming days to provide reassurance and visibility to our communities who will have been affected by this incident.”