A 102-year-old man has died of his injuries after allegedly being assaulted at a pub in south Wales.
Phillip Ormerod, of Cwmbran in the Welsh valleys, was taken to hospital after the incident at the Crow’s Nest pub on 1 August. Gwent police said on Thursday that he had since died.
A 56-year-old man from Llanelli was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm in connection with the case. He has been released but remains under investigation.
The senior investigating officer, DCI Shelley Comley, said: “We understand the public interest in this incident but want to remind people that not only is this an active criminal investigation but there is a family at the heart of it processing the loss of a loved one.
“Please consider the impact that inaccurate or speculative comments – particularly online commentary – could have on them and the ongoing investigation as a whole.”
Emergency services were called to the Crow’s Nest at about 10.25pm on the night of the incident after Ormerod had fallen from a stage.
According to reports, he had walked up three steps on to the stage where the Llanelli-based band SuperHans were playing to ask for the volume to be turned down when he was knocked over.
Ormerod reportedly suffered critical injuries after falling backwards and hitting the floor.
His son, Robert Ormerod, told the Press Association his father had lived in the Llanyrafon neighbourhood for decades and was a popular regular at the Crow’s Nest, where younger people would buy drinks for him.
The great-grandfather was a draughtsman before he retired. He lived alone after the death of his wife 40 years ago and was recently diagnosed with dementia.
Ormerod said: “I feel sad – even though he could be difficult because of his age and dementia, still, you get used to him being around. Even though I suppose he wouldn’t go on forever, he would’ve carried on I think for a bit.”
Gwent police have appealed for anyone who was in the pub between 10pm and 11pm on the night of the incident to get in touch directly or via Crimestoppers.
