Teenager charged in connection with Preston pensioner's death
A teenager has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of a pensioner in Preston.
Lancashire Police were called to The Paddock, Fulwood at around 3pm on Friday (10th September) to reports of an assault.
When officers arrived, they found Frank Fishwick with facial injuries. He was treated at hospital but died on Saturday morning.
A post-mortem found that the cause of death was bleeding as a result of fractures to the nose, consistent with being assaulted.
Police say that the 86-year-old had gone outside to speak to a group of young people who had gathered in the stairway near his home. One then punched him, and they ran off.
An investigation was launched and on Sunday a 19-year-old man from Preston was arrested on suspicion of murder.
After consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service the male, Mohammed Al Aaraj, 19, of Sheffield Drive, Preston, has now been charged with manslaughter. He is due to appear at Preston Magistrates' Court today (14th September).
Det Ch Insp Mark Haworth-Oates, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “First and foremost our thoughts remain with Mr Fishwick’s family, who continue to be looked after by specialist officers.
“Our enquiries are very much ongoing and we have now charged a man in relation to this incident. However, we are continuing to ask witnesses to come forward. If you saw the incident or have any information about who was involved and what happened, please let us know. Similarly, if you have any dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage showing what happened, please tell us.”
Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and are asking anybody who saw the incident or who has information about it to get in touch with them on 101, quoting log 879 of September 10th.