Five teens arrested after killing of ‘top guy’ at factory
A WORKER died after confronting a gang of drunken youths at a Linthwaite industrial site.
Robert Wilson, 53, was set upon by the group at 11.45pm on Thursday after remonstrating with them outside pharmaceutical firm Thornton & Ross where he worked.
A major emergency operation was launched after Mr Wilson was attacked at the Manchester Road site.
He suffered fatal injuries in the attack and was given CPR but could not be saved. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.
A full post-mortem was due to take place to confirm how Mr Wilson died.
A colleague, aged 39, suffered serious injuries and was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary.
Police yesterday confirmed five teenagers had been arrested and were being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Four are boys aged 15, 17, 18 and 18 the fifth is a girl aged 17.
Mr Wilson, who worked as a supervisor on night shifts, lived in Birstall and his family was too upset to speak.
But a friend paid tribute to him, describing him as a friendly guy.
He said: “He was a good friend of mine. I’ve known him for a few years.
“He was a lovely lad, absolutely brilliant and really down to earth.
I want to reassure residents that a full range of resources has been deployed to investigate what has taken place.”
“He got on with everybody and was a really top guy. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“I received a text saying he had been murdered. It’s just awful news.”
It is understood that Mr Wilson and his colleague went to lock the site gates at 11.30pm when they were attacked.
As they went to the gates they saw four people involved in a ‘fracas’ so he told them to stop and to leave the site.
The Examiner understands Mr Wilson’s colleague chased one off the site and was stabbed near the Premier shop on Manchester Road.
Mr Wilson was then involved in a confrontation with the remaining