Cops probe potential ‘race’ element behind ‘murder’ of dog walker in park as boy, 14, held

COPS are probing a potential "race" element behind the death of a grandad who was allegedly killed while walking his dog.

Bhim Sen Kohli, 80, tragically died in hospital after he was allegedly attacked in Franklin Park, near Leicester, at around 6.30pm on Sunday evening.

His daughter heard shouts from neighbours after Bhim was attacked just 20 yards from his home and ran to his aid but he died in hospital from his injuries.

Five youths including a boy and girl aged 14 and two girls aged 12 were arrested on suspicion of murder after the horror.

A 14-year-old boy remains in custody while cops confirmed the other four have been released ";with no further action".

Detectives are now trying to establish the circumstances of the fatal assault in Braunstone Town and whether there was a racist motive.

It has been revealed that dad-of-three Bhim, a retired clothing factory owner, recently spoke to cops about racist abuse.

Leicestershire Police are referring themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over that contact but it is understood the abuse did not involve any of those held in custody over his murder.

Cops said allotment owner Bhim was attacked "by a group of young people" at 6.30pm on Sunday near the entrance of Franklin Park, 20 yards from his family’s home.

Bhim was taken by ambulance to Queen’s Medical Centre  in Nottingham where he died on Monday night.

His daughter has told how she learned he had been attacked and ran to the park and found him lying on the ground.

Speaking while Bhim was still clinging to life in hospital, she said: “They pushed him, they kicked him in the neck, kicked him in the spine.”

She continued: "He had been taking the dog for a walk. He was about 30 seconds away from getting home when he was attacked.

"He was lying under the tree and at first he was complaining about his neck and now he's not able to move his legs.

"We've lived here for 40 years and just recently there's been a lot of antisocial behaviour, which has been reported to the police."

A neighbour added: “I heard a commotion outside and he was lying in the park, screaming in pain. He said he was violently pushed over.”

She said there had been a recent rise in racist crime, adding: “This is a wonderful neighbourhood but I’ve noticed in the past couple of months more crime — lads jumping on to  a bungalow roof, people being harassed while out walking.

“There was another Asian man who was recently verbally attacked and pushed.”

Another witness said things had got worse since anti-immigration protests and riots at the end of July and start of August.

It is understood another Asian man known to Bhim recently had stones thrown at him.

Locals described the grandfather-of-two as a "gentle" man who took his four-legged companion named Rocky out daily.

Another neighbour, Frank Owen, 50, said: “I haven’t lived here long and would just say ‘Hello’ when I saw Bhim walking his dog.

“But he seemed really nice. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to do this.

“But we have read there may have been a racial element.”

Nigel Morris, 57, who has an allotment similar to Bhim's, paid tribute to the grandfather and said he "felt sick" over the tragedy.

Speaking to BBC News, Mr Morris said: "He always had a smile. He was just a genuinely nice guy. 

"I don't understand any of this. He was a proper gent. I'm just sick - I feel quite sick about the whole thing."

Mr Morris had earlier said: "Bhim and his wife were always on the allotment - every day they were there.

"I spoke to him most days. We'd talk about general things. If he was going to India, about his family and allotment stuff to do with growing.

"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 finding out.

"I went up to the allotments and there were a couple of people there who were very shocked. It's horrendous, horrible. Just awful.

"He was a lovely man. I can't imagine he would have done anything to provoke this. I don't know what to say."

'HORRIBLE SHOCK'

Neighbour Deep Singh Kalia, 70, who had known Bhim for more than 30 years, said: “He was such a lovely guy. It is a horrible shock.

"I would meet up with him every day. We were both originally from the Punjab in India. He loved his allotment, and loved his dog, and loved his family.

Mr Kalia added: “I don’t know why anyone would have wanted to do something like this to him.

“He was just a very nice man who wouldn’t have done anything to provoke this.

“I have been to see his wife. He was very popular and a lot of people are coming to say sorry.

“He was skinny, but very fit because he worked on his allotment all the time.”

Mr Kalia’s wife Harjinder, 53, said: “It is just awful. Bhim wouldn’t have harmed anyone.”

'OUT OF CONTROL'

An elderly local said: “Since the race riots, some of the kids around here are out of control.

“My neighbour caught a young boy and girl on their roof of their garage a week ago and others have had abuse shouted at them.

“I think the old man (Bhim) had been getting some stick from a few of the youngsters.

“It’s completely unjustified and wrong. The problem is some of these kids have no parenting and run riot while the good kids stay at home or are too scared to stand up to them.”

Pal Graham Haldane posted on social media: “Bhim was my friend and we had our allotments next to each other.

“He lived to attend his allotment and grew amazing veg and was not a threat to anyone. A kind and considerate man.”

Police appealed for witnesses to the attack and said Mr Kohli was  wearing a black jumper and grey joggers when “seriously assaulted by a group of young people”.

A referral was made by the Leicestershire force to the IOPC after Bhim contacted cops about the racist abuse against him a few months ago.

An IOPC spokesman said: “We can confirm that we have received a referral from Leicestershire Police in relation to this matter.

“We will carry out an assessment in due course to decide what  further action may be required from us.”