Cheltenham Pensioner Jim Davis Dies Following Alleged Teenage Assault
The family of Jim Davis, a 73-year-old pensioner from Cheltenham, have paid an emotional tribute to him after his tragic death last Friday night. Mr Davis passed away two days after an alleged assault by teenagers on Honeybourne Way in his hometown.
Confrontation on Millennium Bridge Leads to Tragedy
According to reports, the incident occurred on Wednesday night when Mr Davis confronted two teenagers on the Millennium Bridge. The teenagers had allegedly thrown a large branch off the bridge at a cyclist traveling on the road below. Following an exchange of words, one of the teenagers allegedly punched Mr Davis in the face.
Paramedics rushed the pensioner to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, but despite medical efforts, he sadly died two days later. The family released a heartfelt tribute last night, accompanied by a photograph of Mr Davis, describing him as 'one of the kindest people anyone could have the pleasure of meeting.'
Family's Heartfelt Tribute to a Beloved Relative
In their statement, the family expressed their devastation, saying: 'We as a family are devastated by the loss of Jimmy. He was a friend to so many, but to me and my family he was a much-loved uncle, brother and brother-in-law.'
They highlighted his caring and compassionate nature, noting that he always put others first. 'Jimmy was one of the kindest people anyone could have the pleasure of meeting, he was caring, compassionate, and always putting others first,' the statement continued.
The tribute also mentioned his passion for motorcycles, which brought him into contact with many people and helped him form friendships wherever he went. 'With a natural warmth and a gift for storytelling, he shared his life with great joy and, in doing so, touched a remarkable number of lives,' the family added.
They concluded by acknowledging the widespread impact of his loss: 'Our lives will never be the same without him, and we know that many others will share in the sadness we feel.'
Police Investigation and Arrests
Police were called to the scene of a serious assault on Honeybourne Way at approximately 7.30pm on Wednesday, April 8. Following the incident, two teenage boys aged 16 and 17 were arrested on suspicion of murder. Initially, they had been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm before Mr Davis' death.
No further action is being taken against the 16-year-old, but the 17-year-old remains on police bail while enquiries continue. The Major Crime Investigations Team has now taken over the murder investigation.
Appeal for Witnesses
Detectives have issued an appeal for witnesses to come forward with any information. They urge anyone with details to contact the police by completing their online form and quoting incident 430 of April 8. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers.
The community of Cheltenham is left mourning the loss of Jim Davis, remembered as a kind-hearted individual whose life was tragically cut short in this alleged assault.
