Mum of man, 26, killed by punch after blow-up doll hit his girlfriend at gig issued plea 10 years on
The mother of a 26-year-old man who was tragically killed at a UK festival has issued a public plea amid a fresh appeal to find his attacker.
On 7 Saturday 2014 Robert Hart attended Parklife festival in Manchester alongside his girlfriend Gemma. However what was supposed to be a fun weekend for the couple would end in heartbreaking tragedy, when Robert suffered a fatal punch to the head during a ahead of a Snoop Dogg set.
The argument had occurred after an unidentified man in the crowd had hit Gemma with a blow up doll, causing her to fall to the ground. Robert then confronted the man, with their argument escalating into the man punching him in the head.
Robert would die from his injuries five days later in hospital.
Advert
Despite the attack happening in a busy festival, police have been unable to identify the assailant - leading to Robert's mother Elaine Hart making an emotional plea on the 10-year-anniversary of her son's death.
Speaking about the impact of her son's death, Elaine explained that she would 'never be able to come to terms' with her son's killing and that she often wonders why the attacker was 'so aggressive and punched Robert so hard'.
"I look at Robert’s photograph every morning and kiss him good morning, and I look at Robert’s photograph every night," Elaine said in a heartbreaking statement issued via Greater Manchester police.
"I just exist. I have my three children and my grandchildren who help me enormously, but the loss of Robert and the unnecessary killing of Robert, that will stay with me and I will never ever be able to understand or come to terms with it."
She continued: "Robert went to Parklife to enjoy music – he had a love of music and enjoyed festivals. He went there to enjoy himself, he never returned, and he now lies in Macclesfield Cemetery."
Greater Manchester Police has also confirmed there is a £50,000 reward on offer for anyone who is able to find the person responsible for Robert's death.
The perpetrator has been described as 'mixed race, in his mid-20s, around 6ft to 6ft 2in tall, of muscular build with short, dark hair which was shaved at the sides'.
It's believed he may have been accompanied by an unknown woman who was described as 'white, in her mid-20s with blonde, shoulder-length hair, around 5ft 7ins tall and possibly wearing a pink T-shirt'.
Detective Inspector Madeline Kelly, from GMP’s Major Crime Review Team, added: "Even though this terrible incident was almost 10 years ago, it will still be fresh in the minds of many people, especially Robert’s family and people who were at Parklife.
"Just as we were in 2014, we are determined to catch the person responsible which is why we are taking a fresh look at the evidence and appealing for the assistance of the public."
Brenna Cooper