Our hearts are completely broken, say family of dog walker killed in park

Bhim Sen Kohli died after being attacked near his home in Braunstone Town, near Leicester

The family of an 80-year-old killed while walking his dog have said their hearts are “completely broken” following his death.
Bhim Sen Kohli died on Monday after allegedly being attacked the day before near his home in Braunstone Town, near Leicester, while he was walking his dog, Rocky, in Franklin Park.
Officers from Leicestershire arrested a boy and a girl aged 14, and a boy and two girls aged 12, on suspicion of murder. The force has referred itself to the watchdog over prior contact with the victim.
All of them bar the 14-year-old boy have been bailed with no further action taken and officers have been given until 10pm on Wednesday to question the remaining suspect.
Paying tribute to Mr Kohli, a keen gardener who had three allotments, his family said they were devastated by his death.
In a statement, they said: “Bhim was a loving husband, dad and grandad. He was also a son, brother and uncle.
“He adored his grandkids with all his heart and loved spending time with them. He really was such a loving, caring person whose life was centred around his family.
“He has always been a very hard-working man and even at the age of 80 he was still very active. One of his great passions was his allotment, he would go every day to tend to his plots and was so proud of them. He also enjoyed walking the family dog Rocky on the park many times a day.
“Bhim loved to laugh. He was always very happy and talkative, the joker of the family and always loved to outsmart us with a smile. Our family have lived in the same house in Braunstone for 40 years, so he was very well-known in the community – we have been overwhelmed by the messages and support from many who knew him.
“Our hearts have been completely broken. We are now pulling together as a family to try and support each other through the most difficult time imaginable and would ask for privacy while we do this.”
Mr Kohli’s widow was seen visiting the scene and looking at tributes laid out for him.
Mr Kohli had reported a group of youths over alleged anti-social behaviour after he told them off for sitting on a neighbour’s garage roof over the summer.
Friends claimed he was spat at and abused, and police took three days to take a statement.
Neighbours also reported an earlier incident to police where another resident was attacked with rocks.
Members of the community said that the area had been plagued by anti-social behaviour that had left some residents feeling intimidated.
Youths have reportedly been gathering outside a shop next to the park, vandalising bus stops and a phone box, and preventing residents from entering the convenience store.
On some occasions, troublemakers were said to have worn balaclavas while stealing from the shop, according to its owner Vijay Chaganlal. “We do have bad behaviour issues with kids,” Mr Chaganlal said. “Customers do feel intimidated when there are kids hanging around and say it’s scary when kids come in.
“Any time they do anything we ask them to leave, but they give a big mouth. Sometimes it’s abusive, verbal abuse. They hang around outside, climb on the phone booth and bus stop, punch the glass, try to smash them.”
He said that recent shoplifting included “a 13-year-old in a balaclava, who pinched a bag of sweets and ran off” but said he had not called police for a number of years “because they don’t come, you don’t see them round here”.
“We’ve just given up,” he said. “They wouldn’t bother coming, even if they’re passing by they won’t stop.”
Other residents said “only since this happened” had there been a regular police presence, while a fellow gardener who lives nearby said Mr Kohli’s “beautiful allotment” had won “quite a few prizes”.
The friend also spoke about “the kids at night all gathering around the shops”. “You always get that little group. 99 per cent of the kids are OK but then you get that 1 per cent and they’re the ones. When I used to live over on that end you’d go to the shop and have to face the crowd. They would sit on the steps so you couldn’t get in. I’m big enough so they never gave me any hassle, but the other people who were more vulnerable would get trouble.
“Bhim was tall, and very thin. He always walked with his hands behind his back, leaning forward. If they came up behind him, he wouldn’t even know about it because he walks so slow, at a very leisurely pace. He was pretty frail, and he wouldn’t hurt a bloody fly.”
Some residents complained about gangs of youths hanging around the park and claimed that some had been seen wearing balaclavas.
“There always seems to be a lot of kids around the park as it’s turned into a popular hangout but they’re not here to play,” one said. “I’ve noticed youngsters here just have no respect for their elders. I’ve seen some around wearing balaclavas so clearly they’re up to no good.”