Murder probe launched after ‘one punch’ attack
AMURDER investigation has been launched after a man died following a ‘one punch’ attack
Keith Maden was attacked after reportedly confronting youths throwing fireworks in the town centre.
The 59-year-old died in hospital after being hit in the face outside a takeaway on Thursday night.
It is thought that moments before the attack the victim was having a cigarette outside the Reed Hotel pub when he told a group of teenagers to stop throwing fireworks.
He then walked to the nearby Dixy Chicken takeaway, on Reed Hill, to get some food, but was approached by up to five men.
Police say Mr Maden, a regular in the Reed Hotel, was punched once to the face, fell backwards and hit his head on the floor at around 9.15pm.
He was taken to hospital suffering serious head injuries.
A witness, who asked not to be named, told the Observer Mr Maden was in the chicken shop at the same time as some of the group who attacked him.
They had what appeared to be an argument outside the door of the take-away, a punch was thrown and Mr Maden fell backwards, smashing his head on the road. The witness said the group then ran off towards the direction of Saint Mary’s Gate.
An 18-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault has been bailed.
Det Insp John Mulvihill said: “My thoughts go out to Keith’s family and friends at this devastating time. I can’t begin to imagine what they are going through.
“We are continuing our appeal to the public – if you witnessed this awful attack please get in touch with us and let us know what you saw.
“We will not stop until we have found out exactly what happened to Keith and bring those responsible to justice.”
Reed Hill was cordoned off on Friday morning and a police forensics tent was in place.
A friend of Mr Maden’s said: “It was around 9.15pm when a group of lads were setting off bangers – all we did was tell them to behave.
“Then I went back into the pub and he went over to Dixie Chicken and the next thing I hear what’s happened. I run over and he’s on the floor with blood on his head.
“I can’t believe it – he was such a good guy, he’d never hurt a fly. He’d had a stroke recently.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident number 2356 of September 28, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.