The family of Bhim Kohli pay tribute
It follows the conviction of two teenagers
Last updated 8th Apr 2025
A 15-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl have been found guilty of the manslaughter of the Leicestershire pensioner today.
It follows a 6 week trial at Leicester Crown Court.
The court's heard Bhim Kohli, who was 80 had called out for help, while walking his dog Rocky just yards away from his home, before he suffered a broken neck and fractured ribs by being kicked and punched by the balaclava-clad boy.
Mr Kohli had been racially abused, laughed at by the girl, and left on the ground before his children found him severely injured in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town, near Leicester, on the evening of September 1 last year. He died in hospital the next day.
The teenagers, who cannot be named because of their ages, were unanimously convicted of manslaughter. You can read more about what happened in court here: 15-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl found guilty of manslaughter of Leicestershire pensioner.
Speaking outside the court after the verdicts were returned, Mr Kohli's daughter, Susan Kohli, said her father was "brutally and cruelly" taken from his family.
She said: "We feel angry and disgust towards the teenagers who took dad away from us. They humiliated him, an 80-year-old man, assaulted him, filmed it and laughed at him."
"Dad did not deserve this and wouldn't wish this on anyone else.
"He was the person who knitted our family together and we miss him every second of every day. Our home feels so empty without him and will never be the same."
In a statement released through the Police, from the family, they said “he was a devoted life partner to my mother for 55 years. He was a loving dad, grandad, brother, uncle, a retired businessman and a close friend to many, including people who lived in our local community.
“He was an amazing man who loved life. He never took himself seriously, he was good fun to be around and very chatty. Despite his age and how frail he looked, he was healthy and very active. He had three allotment plots where he grew lots of fruit and vegetables and would share them with the family, friends and neighbours. He was the person who knitted our family together and we miss him every second of every day.
“Our house feels so empty without him and will never be the same.
"The area we have loved for so many years and called ‘home’ feels so different now and we will never feel safe. Having happened only a minute’s walk of where we live is something we cannot get away from and it is a constant reminder. Every time my mum opens the front door she thinks about what happened to her husband.
“Dad knew so many people in the community and he would always have a chat and a joke with them. The community have been nothing but a fantastic support to us and we will be forever grateful to them for their love and generosity. We have taken solace in listening to people talking fondly to us about their dog walking stories with dad.
“On Sunday 1 September we were alerted to what had happened and went to the park to help dad. He was screaming out; he was in that much pain - it was horrendous, we have never seen him like that before. We all thought he would go to hospital to be treated and he would then be fine. We never imagined he wouldn’t return home. My dad passed away before our eyes, surrounded by his family. We were all in floods of tears and in disbelief that an investigation had commenced.
“After my dad’s passing the community held a vigil. I didn’t initially want to go as it felt too much and too soon. I changed my mind at the last minute and attended with a close friend and our family liaison officers. It was very difficult and overwhelming, but the number of flowers and beautiful messages took our breath away. It was very touching, and it felt like the whole community had come together to show strength and unity. It also left us with a feeling of total shock and sadness that something so terrifying had happened in our little park which is used by so many people.
“My mum and I felt that we needed to attend the trial each day to understand the evidence fully. Our family have tried to remain strong, but the truth is...
"inside we feel broken.
“Listening to the enormity of what dad was subjected to will never leave us. The boy, who told witnesses he had anger problems and couldn’t stop, used violence so severe that he broke three of dad’s ribs and neck which caused trauma to his spinal column. Videos of the incident were filmed and shockingly found on the girl’s phone.
“One of the videos showed dad on his knees being hit over the head with the boy’s slider. A loud horrible slapping sound is heard when the boy struck dad. Hearing the girl laugh at this assault on dad is utterly disgusting. This sound plays over and over in our heads.
“Also captured on video is dad’s attempt to call for help as he shouted out for his grandson. We didn’t hear his call for help and this upsets us deeply.
“Losing dad in these cruel, violent, and deeply shocking circumstances...
"feels like our hearts have been pulled apart. We can’t put into words the pain we feel every day, and this has magnified during the trial.
“Rocky, our dog, returned home alone on that day and has been lost without dad. He had 15 years with my dad, and it is clear he misses him deeply.”
Susan added: “On behalf of myself and my family I would like to express thanks to all the witnesses and experts who provided statements that helped the police piece together what happened to dad. We want to especially highlight the children who gave evidence. They were so brave under difficult circumstances, and we will be forever grateful to them and their parents.
“We would also like to extend our thanks to everyone who worked so hard to get justice for dad. From the police investigation team – including the senior investigating officers, the officer in the case and the family liaison officers who have been with us every step of the way. Also, to the CPS and the prosecution team, particularly Mr Sandhu KC, for not leaving any stone unturned when presenting the case.”
Sentencing
After the verdicts were read out, Mr Justice Turner further remanded the 15-year-old boy in custody and granted the 13-year-old girl conditional bail.
He thanked the jury for their "obvious hard work" and adjourned sentencing to a two-day hearing on May 19 and 20.
Speaking after the case, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Sinski, of Leicestershire Police, said Mr Kohli was a "much-loved grandfather" who was "enjoying the simple things in life" such as spending time with his family, tending to his allotment and walking his dog.
He said: "Clearly the fatal attack of an elderly man in a public park close to his home address by children has shocked the community and the family to the core. This should never have happened.
"Mr Kohli was a true family man. He was the centre of his family - a very beloved husband.
"His family have been absolutely devastated by his loss. He was in the last stage of his life, but very fit and healthy and had a long life ahead of him still.
"It's a no-win situation and it should never have happened."