Great-grandfather dies after assault
Sep 8 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal
A COMMUNITY was in shock last night following the death of a popular great-grandfather attacked outside a town centre pub after a night spent socialising.
A man in his twenties was last night being detained by police on suspicion of murder.
Cliff Palmer, 73, described as a devoted family man, had been socialising with friends in Blake’s pub in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, on Friday night.
Police believe the victim, of Bury Road, Newton Aycliffe, had just left the pub when he was attacked at around 12.30am on Saturday. He sustained serious head injuries.
Mr Palmer, married to Elsie, and father to Beverley and Marie, as well as having five grandchildren and one baby great-grandchild, was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital where he was put on a life support machine.
He is understood to have died yesterday afternoon.
Police said Mr Palmer, a former national serviceman and British Rail employee who had worked as a roofer for the past 30 years, was well liked in the town.
He was described as “family orientated” and as “fit and agile.”
Det Insp Billy Hugill, who is leading the investigation into Mr Palmer’s death, said his close-knit family were “devastated.”
“He was a family orientated man devoted to his grandchildren and his great-grandchild,” added the officer.
Local councillor Sarah Iveson, of Wilkinson Road, Newton Aycliffe, said: “It is shocking news and a sad day for the town. It is awful when anybody is attacked like this, never mind somebody in their seventies.”
Det Insp Hugill said were about 50 people inside the pub at the time the victim left to go home, and a number of people outside.
"At the moment the exact chain of events is unclear.
"We want to talk as a matter of urgency to anyone who can tell us what happened outside the public house or any events that might have led up to it,” added Det Insp Hugill.
A local man in his 20s, arrested on suspicion of assault after the incident, was re-arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder and was being questioned at Bishop Auckland police station.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0345-6060365, or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.
It is shocking news and a sad day for the town. It is awful when anybody is attacked like this
