Man found dying in street on Christmas Day was seen by cops hours before as they attended bust-up at his house
Thomas Roberts, 43, lost his fight for life after being discovered fatally injured from the “sustained” assault in the back court of a flat at 4am
A DAD found dying after a Christmas Day attack was seen by cops just four hours earlier when they were called to a bust-up at his home.
Thomas Roberts, 43, lost his fight for life after being discovered fatally injured from the “sustained” assault in the back court of a flat at 4am.
Officers had visited his home 100 yards away at 11.30pm following calls from a worried neighbour about a three-hour row at the property.
Thomas’s teenage daughter Brooklyn was taken away from the first-floor flat by her relatives after the call-out and the situation appeared to have calmed down.
But hours later, dad-of-two Thomas was found in Lambhill, Glasgow. A 50-year-old man discovered with him was also taken to hospital.
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Detectives from the force’s major investigation team have launched a murder inquiry following the death.
The suspect is described locally as a bodybuilder.
Chillingly, the attacker reportedly told his terrified victims:”Nobody can hear you. Shout it louder.”
Last night a neighbour said: “There’s been a few problems with someone coming to Thomas’s flat over the past few months.
“On Christmas Eve there was shouting and bawling coming from there from 8pm.
“I could hear Thomas and a female voice and stuff being shouted like ‘get out my house.’
“A neighbour called the cops about 11.15pm. About 11.30pm, the police turned up to calm everything down.
“Brooklyn got taken away by relatives with all her presents and there was no noise after that.”
The neighbour added: “Thomas was a lovely quiet guy but he had his problems with this other person.
“It’s horrible to think that the cops saw him just a few hours before he was found dying.”
Yesterday, grieving Brooklyn was being comforted by pals as she revealed the death on her Facebook page.
She wrote: “Worst news was waking up on Christmas morning to find my dad had been found dead outside.
“All I can say is heaven has gained another angel, I love you so much Dad, fly high.”
Thomas’s sister Teresa, 39, from Springburn, declined to comment yesterday.
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner is usually called in when cops have dealings with a victim of a serious crime shortly before their death.
The watchdog had not been notified of the incident last night — although it may be too early in the inquiry.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Livingstone, who is leading the murder probe, said: “This was a violent attack on two men in the early hours of Christmas Day which has culminated in the death of a 43-year-old man.
“I would like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident to come forward.
“A man has lost his life following a sustained attack on Christmas Day and his family and friends have been left shattered.”