Appeal to find man's killer 10 years on from Parklife attack
Robert Hart's mum is urging people to come forward with information, a decade after her son's death
Today marks ten years since 26-year-old Robert Hart, from Macclesfield, was punched at Parklife music festival in Heaton Park, later dying from his injuries.
It happened shortly after 9pm, Robert and his girlfriend were stood in front of the main stage and were waiting for Snoop Dogg to come on, Rudimental had just finished their set.
Robert and his girlfriend were stood about halfway back from the stage and the sound tent would have been to their left-hand side. A blow up doll was being passed about above the crowd and this hit Robert’s girlfriend in the face and she was covered in dirt.
An altercation then broke out which resulted in Robert being punched and losing consciousness. He was given CPR and regained consciousness, he was then helped to his feet and assisted away from where the attack happened.
The injuries which Robert sustained as result of this attack were far worse than first anticipated and he died on June 11 in hospital.
Robert’s attacker, who has never been identified, is described as mixed race, in his mid-20s, around 6ft to 6ft 2in tall, muscular build with short, dark hair which was shaved at the sides. He may have been with several people and it is believed he was with a woman – who has been described as white, in her mid-20s with blonde, shoulder-length hair, around 5ft 7ins tall and possibly wearing a pink T-shirt.
On the 10th anniversary of the attack, Robert’s mum Elaine has made an emotional appeal.
Elaine said: “I look at Robert’s photograph every morning and kiss him good morning, and I look at Robert’s photograph every night.
“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.
“I’ve asked over the years - why? Why did you just not apologise? Why were you so aggressive and punched Robert so hard that you knocked him unconscious?
“Ten years on, people’s loyalties and relationships change. For justice, if you know of this attacker, if you know his name, get in touch with Greater Manchester Police and hopefully there will be a closure.
“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.
“Robert was a devoted and adored son, brother and uncle and he was a true gentlemen and friend.”
Detective Inspector Madeline Kelly, from GMP’s Major Crime Review Unit, said: “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.
“Despite the passing of time, the heartache felt by Robert’s family has not faded. Just as we were in 2014, we are determined to catch the person responsible which is why we are appealing for the assistance of the public.
“We are appealing for people to dig deep into their consciences – if you were one of the people involved on the day we would urge you to come forward.
“No-one went to the festival that weekend with thoughts of violence.
"Allegiances and friendships will have changed - so if anyone has any information they can report it to police, particularly if they feel they could not before.
“We are hopeful that the passage of time may mean that those who didn’t feel comfortable coming forward in 2014 may now feel brave enough to do so. If you witnessed the attack, or if someone confided in you since about what happened we want to hear for you.
“There were other assaults at the festival over the weekend so some members of the public might think that this case is solved, this is not the situation at all. It is an unsolved, ongoing investigation and we still need the public’s help. Someone out there will know who was involved and I am appealing directly to them today to do the right thing. If you were involved on the day we would urge you to come forward.
“I am also asking for people who may have been stood in the crowd, near to where I described to share their photos and videos. people who were around the main stage at around 9pm just after Rudimental had finished their set and before Snoop Dogg was due on.
“Perhaps you remember seeing a crowd gathering around Robert as CPR was performed on him? A witness describes some of the crowd clapping and cheering, as Robert was being helped to his feet? Do you remember seeing or hearing this?
"We are also asking for people at Parklife on Saturday 7 June 2014 to share their photos and videos with us – especially people who were around the main stage at around 9pm just after Rudimental had finished their set and before Snoop Dogg was due on.
“Robert’s family have had to live without answers for 10 years now, and we need the person responsible or anyone who knows him, to come forward and give us information. No detail is too small."
Investigators' have set up a Major Incident Public Portal – photos and videos can be uploaded via https://mipp.police.uk/operation/0601020114A08-PO1.
Information can also be sent via a dedicated email address HelpBobby@gmp.police.uk. If someone does not feel comfortable to make direct contact with the police, they can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.