A 102-year-old great-grandfather who died days after allegedly being assaulted at a pub in Cwmbran was a "well-known character" who locals would buy drinks for, his son has said in a tribute to his father.
Phillip Ormerod, from Cwmbran, died in hospital following the incident at the Crow's Nest pub in the town on August 1. His son, Robert Ormerod, told the Press Association his father had dementia and lived alone in the Llanyrafon neighbourhood he had raised his family in.
Tribute to a 'pub character'
He said his father, a former design draughtsman, used to visit the Crow's Nest regularly and described him as a popular character who young people would buy beer for when he visited the bar. He continued living in Llanyrafon following the death of his wife 40 years ago and was visited often by his two sons.
Mr 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.
"I used to visit him regularly, and then towards the end me and my brother used to keep the house clean as best we could, and buy his food because his eyesight had deteriorated. (He was diagnosed with dementia) a couple of years ago, he probably had it before that. He's well-known around here, although a lot of his generation are gone."
Investigation ongoing
He said his father would visit the pub two or three times a week and described how he became a familiar face to some locals. "I suppose he became a pub character," he said.
Emergency services were called to the pub in Cwmbran at 10.25pm on August 1 following a report of an assault. A 56-year-old man from Llanelli was arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault and remains under investigation.
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 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."
Anyone at the pub on August 1 is asked to speak with Gwent Police.
