Battered war hero’s family write emotional letter to his killer in jail after grandfather, 90, dies in ‘agony’ and spends last few months living in ‘pain and fear’
Ron Walker was punched three times in the face in horror attack in Torquay in April and never recovered
THE family of a 90-year-old war hero assaulted in his mobility scooter have written to his jailed attacker to say he died.
Ron Walker was punched in the face three times by a man who said he ran over his foot.
He was also kicked so hard his scooter almost tipped over.
Kevin Williams, 42, was jailed for 20 months after admitting ABH.
Family say Ron, known as Pop, never got over April’s attack in Torquay, Devon.
In sentencing him, Judge Graham Cottle said: "It was a completely unprovoked attack.
"You claimed he ran over your foot and proceeded to attack him and verbally abuse him.
"You seemed completely unperturbed by what you had done, which was witnessed by a number of people."
After his death last week, granddaughter Natalie told Williams in a letter: “Because of you my grandfather’s last few months were lived in pain and fear.
“He lost his pride, dignity and trust in others.
"Because of you he became angry and confused.
"We were by his side while he died afraid.”
Ron served in Palestine in World War Two.
Ron started work as a farmhand at the age of 13, before moving onto the railways.
He enlisted into the British Army and was posted to Palestine as part of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers to keep transport networks open.
From Palestine he was posted to Suez before returning to England as a sergeant training recruits.
He left the army and met Alice, his wife.
He worked for the AA before joining Longmoor Military Railway in Hampshire, and then discovered his new calling and became a dog handler for the MoD until his retirement, when he moved to Torquay.
After his death, Natalie said: “The last five months of his life he suffered both physically and emotionally just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Natalie added: "Ron Walker, or as I knew him Pop, was a humble man. He never liked to be the centre of attention and lived his life pretty anonymously, spreading cheer and happiness through Torquay with a smile or a sweet.
"He connected with many people, sharing stories of his army days, or his time as a dog handler for the Ministry of Defence.
"He was a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather and will be greatly missed."
A funeral service will take place on Monday, September 26, at 11.15am at Torbay Crematorium and a collection will be held for Help for Heroes.