Bhim Kohli, who was fatally attacked while walking his dog in a local park, in a case that has shocked the East Midlands community.
The incident occurred on the evening of 2 September in Franklin Park, just a short distance from Mr Kohli’s home.
The 15-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl, whose identities are protected due to their age, approached Mr Kohli after the boy was told – falsely – that the elderly man had previously struck another youth with a stick.
The boy became aggressive, donning a balaclava before launching a physical assault on Mr Kohli, who was verbally abused, punched, and kicked to the ground.
The girl remained nearby and filmed parts of the attack on her phone.
The footage, later recovered by police, showed Mr Kohli on his knees being slapped in the face with a shoe.
The violence was so severe that he fractured three of Mr Kohli’s ribs and neck which caused trauma to his spinal column.
After fleeing the scene, the teenagers left Mr Kohli lying on the grass. His grandson discovered him minutes later, and other family members quickly arrived.
Paramedics were called, and Mr Kohli told officers he had been assaulted by a young male who had also made a racist remark.
Mr Kohli was taken to hospital, but tragically died the following day. A post-mortem revealed he had suffered a fatal neck injury that caused trauma to the spinal cord, along with three broken ribs—injuries consistent with a violent assault.
A police investigation was launched immediately. CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and mobile phone evidence led to the arrest of the five teenagers present in the park. Three were released without charge. The boy was charged with murder, and the girl was later charged with manslaughter after investigators found the video footage on her phone.
During the trial, the boy attempted to justify the attack by falsely claiming Mr Kohli had pulled a knife and struck a girl. The jury found these claims untrue, and both teenagers were convicted.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Sinski, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, described the case as “truly tragic and heartbreaking.”
“Bhim Kohli was simply doing what he did every day – walking his dog. Instead, he was met with aggression and violence that ultimately cost him his life,” he said.
“His loss has left a family grieving and a community in mourning.”
