The family of a 102-year-old man with dementia have said they want ‘justice’ after he was allegedly pushed off a pub stage after asking a band to turn their music down.
Great grandfather Phillip Ormerod was taken to hospital after suffering critical injuries when he hit the floor in Cwmbran, South Wales, on August 1.
Mr Ormerod, described as ‘lovely’, was a regular at The Crow’s Nest and was said to have asked for the music to be turned down during the show.
He was then allegedly pushed away, tumbling backwards onto the floor.
Today, Gwent Police said Mr Ormerod had passed away after spending almost two weeks in intensive care at Grange Hospital in nearby Llanfrechfa, Gwent.
Mr Ormerod’s son, Robert, has now spoken out, saying his family ‘hope for some justice’.
He said: ‘What happened is not nice. The pub has changed a lot over the years. It has become a youngster’s pub.
‘Me and my brother would visit our father regularly and clean the house.
‘His eyesight had deteriorated and he had been diagnosed with dementia two or three years ago.
‘He could be difficult with having dementia. He walked to the pub two or three times a week.
‘He was a beer drinker and I suppose some people saw him as a bit of a character at his age.’
The father-of-two said he had grown up in the home where his father lived since 1960.
Phillip Ormerod (pictured), a great grandfather, was taken to hospital after suffering critical injuries when he hit the floor in Cwmbran, South Wales, on August 1
Mr Ormerod’s son, Robert (pictured), has now spoken out, saying his family ‘hope for some justice’
Gwent Police and Welsh Ambulance Service were called to the pub at 10.25pm on August 1
He added: ‘It has changed a lot since I grew up here and of course a lot of my father’s generation are no longer here.’
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.’
A 56-year-old man from Llanelli was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and remains released under investigation as enquiries continue.
Pubgoers say the ‘lovely’ but ‘confused’ centenarian wandered onto the stage when rock, punk and indie cover band SuperHans were playing.
The band, which regularly performs at local venues and pubs across South Wales, have since taken down their Facebook and Instagram pages.
Gwent Police and Welsh Ambulance Service were called to the pub at 10.25pm.
The pensioner was born more than a century ago, during the reign of King George V, and held his 100th birthday celebration at The Crow’s Nest, locals said.
One witness said: ‘My understanding from the police and staff at the time was that the 102-year-old, who lived independently and was a regular at the pub, went onto the stage, which was up three steps, to ask for the music to be turned down.
SuperHans, a cover band which performs at local venues and pubs across South Wales, have taken down their Facebook page and Instagram following the alleged incident in Cwmbran
SuperHans performs rock, punk and indie covers at pubs and venues across South Wales
The Crow’s Nest (pictured) has shared the police appeal, adding: ‘If anyone was in the pub that night and witnessed this please get in contact with the police’
‘He was pushed, causing him to fall down the three steps and broke his hip.
‘At 102, this will cause life-changing, if not life-shortening, injuries.’
Another pubgoer said: ‘It’s believed the 102-year-old was pushed hard enough that he did not fall down the steps, but cleared them and landed on the floor below.’
Gwent Police said: ‘We’re appealing for witnesses following a report of an assault at The Crow’s Nest pub in Cwmbran at around 10.25pm on Saturday 1 August.
‘Officers attended along with crews from the Welsh Ambulance Service and a 102-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment. He remains in critical condition.
‘A 56-year-old man from Llanelli was arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault and has since been released under investigation.
‘Enquiries are ongoing and we are asking anyone who was in the pub between 10pm and 11pm on Saturday 1 August to contact us.’
The Crow’s Nest shared the police appeal, adding: ‘If anyone was in the pub that night and witnessed this please get in contact with the police.’
