Mother tells of shock as banker dies after punch

THE mother of a banker who died after an incident on a night out has described him as “just perfect”.

Police were called to reports of a man having been assaulted in Tranquil Vale, Blackheath, south-east London, at about 12.45am on Sunday, Scotland Yard said.

Oliver Dearlove, 30, from nearby Eltham, was taken to hospital, where he died hours later.

His mother, Joy Wright, from Chislehurst, told The Guardian: “He was very easygoing, lots and lots of friends, played lots of football.

“He studied hard at school. He worked for a private bank in Belgravia. He had been travelling for a year. He did what most nice people do.”

The newspaper said Mr Dearlove worked as a rela- tionship manager for the private bank Duncan Lawrie, and had previously worked for Coutts and Barclays.

Ms Wright told the newspaper: “He and his friends all met up, had lunch, dinner, drinks. He texted his girlfriend that he loved her around 10pm.”

She said her son had fallen backwards “after being punched”.

“I think he stopped breathing when he hit the floor. His friends gave him CPR.”

She added: “He was just perfect. I’m in a state of shock. We have friends and family here and we’re all pulling together. I’m absolutely devastated for him.

“(He had) so much more life to live.”

Police are investigating the incident and have appealed for witnesses.