Boy, 16, charged with the manslaughter of OAP who loved dancing
Army veteran died nine days after inCident at bus station
A TEENAGER has been charged with the manslaughter of an 82-year-old Army veteran in Derby.
The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age, is alleged to have killed pensioner Dennis Clarke earlier this year.
Officers were called to reports of an assault at Derby bus station, in the Morledge, at around 4.30pm on May 6. Mr Clarke suffered injuries and was taken to hospital following the incident and died nine days later.
The teenager appeared before magistrates in Derby yesterday and is next due to appear at Derby Crown Court next week.
No further action is being taken against two other teenage boys who were arrested at the time in connection with the same incident, Derbyshire police said. Following his death, Mr Clarke’s family paid tribute to the “kind and loving” pensioner.
His great-nephew, Ricky Davey, said Mr Clarke was a keen dancer who had been on a shopping trip on the day of the alleged attack.
He described him as his “second dad” due to the special bond the pair had between them over two decades. He also revealed how Mr Clarke, who lived in Derby, spent many years in the Army.
He said Mr Clarke was “more like my second dad - we’ve done everything together for the past 20 years”.
He went on: “We became really close when he started taking me fishing and trips to Skegness –- the place he loved. He was also a Christian and I used to go with him singing hymns around the hospitals.
“Dennis will be remembered for his kindness and love towards people, his crazy dance moves on the dance floor and his yodelling.
“Dennis was in the Army and he went to Singapore when he was just 17 years old. After he came out he did a variety of jobs including, letter sorter, painter and decorator, and he worked in many restaurants.”
Mr Davey said on the day of the alleged attack, his uncle “was just shopping and went to get his blue suede shoes stretched”.