An 80-year-old man, Bhim Kohli, succumbed to his injuries one day after being brutally attacked in Braunstone Town, near Leicester, on September 1 last year. The assault, which took place while Kohli was walking his dog, involved kicking, punching, and being struck in the face with a shoe, leading to severe injuries, including a broken neck and fractured ribs. Following the incident, Kohli's daughter expressed her family's profound loss and anger at the attackers, describing her father’s death as "brutally and cruelly" taken away from them.
On Tuesday, a 15-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl were convicted of manslaughter, having been cleared of murder. The court proceedings revealed troubling details about the attack and the attackers’ reactions. It was reported that Kohli called out for help during the assault, which was witnessed nearby. The youth reportedly had boasted about the incident in messages exchanged on social media, including using laughing emojis, indicating a disturbing nonchalance towards the gravity of their actions. In response to one message discussing the attack on the elderly man, the boy allegedly admitted, "I did that," and later expressed regret, stating, "I f***ed my life up."
Following the verdict, family members attended the hearing, visibly emotional. Susan Kohli, the victim's daughter, spoke to reporters outside the courthouse, sharing a heartfelt tribute to her father. “He was a devoted life partner to my mum for 55 years. He was a loving dad, grandad, brother and uncle, a retired businessman and a close friend to many,” she said. She captured the essence of her father's character, describing him as "an amazing man who loved life," while lamenting the emptiness felt in their home without him.
Witness accounts detailed how the offenders laughed and racially abused the victim during the attack. The girl involved, during a police interview, recounted the moment, mentioning that it was somewhat amusing to her at the time, although she did not appear to take pleasure in the violence itself. Meanwhile, the boy’s subsequent behaviour, including his summary of events with laughing emojis, has drawn significant attention to the attitudes of young people towards violence and its repercussions.
The judge will consider sentencing for the convicted teenagers next month, including the potential lifting of their anonymity due to their ages. The tragic incident has prompted community members to express their sympathies, as flowers were laid at the scene where Mr Kohli lost his life, marking a somber reflection on the fragility of life and the impact of violent acts upon individuals and families.
Source: Noah Wire Services