Boy, charged with murder of Leicestershire pensioner, due in court

80-year-old Bhim Kholi died in hospital on Monday after an incident in Franklin Park on Sunday

Author: Olivia MounsorPublished 5th Sep 2024

A 14-year-old boy is due to appear in court after being charged with the murder of an 80-year-old grandfather who was killed in a park assault.

He's due in Leicester Youth Court today (05/09)

A murder investigation was launched after Bhim Kohli died after being seriously injured near the entrance of Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, Leicestershire, just seconds away from his home on Sunday evening.

Andrew Baxter, deputy chief crown prosecutor for the CPS, said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has reviewed a file of evidence from Leicestershire Police and has authorised a charge of murder against a 14-year-old boy in relation to the death of Bhim Sen Kohli.

"The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are now active and that the youth has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

He will appear at Leicester Youth Court later today.

Paying tribute to Mr Kohli, the pensioner's family said: "Bhim was a loving husband, dad and grandad. He was also a son, brother and uncle.

"He adored his grandkids with all his heart and loved spending time with them. He really was such a loving, caring person whose life was centred around his family.

"He has always been a very hardworking man and even at the age of 80 he was still very active.

"One of his great passions was his allotment, he would go every day to tend to his plots and was so proud of them. He also enjoyed walking the family dog Rocky on the park many times a day.

"Bhim loved to laugh. He was always very happy and talkative, the joker of the family and always loved to outsmart us with a smile.

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.