A 66-year-old man has tragically died in hospital four days after an alleged assault outside a village pub in Leicestershire.
Details of the Fatal Incident
David Darke passed away at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham on Saturday. The incident that led to his death occurred on the evening of Thursday, December 21, outside The Crown Inn public house in Appleby Magna.
Leicestershire Police were called to the scene at approximately 9.45pm following reports of an assault. Officers discovered Mr Darke with a serious head injury. He was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment, where he sadly succumbed to his injuries.
Police Investigation and Arrest
In a significant development in the investigation, a 26-year-old man initially arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm has now been re-arrested on suspicion of murder.
Detective Inspector Kevin Hames, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit's Murder Investigation Team, provided an update on the case. "The initial investigation resulted in us identifying several witnesses and examining CCTV from the area," he stated. "Those inquiries will continue and the suspect will be re-interviewed by detectives."
Community Impact and Family Support
Police have emphasised the profound impact of this event. "It is an extremely difficult time for Mr Darke's family and specialist officers are supporting them," a force spokesperson said.
The investigation remains active, with police continuing to appeal for information from anyone who was in the vicinity of The Crown Inn on the night of December 21 but has not yet spoken to officers.
