Father of newborn baby dies after bid to stop brawl

Benji Bolsenbroek, 23, died following a brawl in the Park Hotel in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough.

The proud new father’s partner Georgina McGuire was looking after their son Kianey while he went out with friends on Saturday night to wet the baby’s head.

In the hours before he died he was proudly showing off a photo of the newborn. A picture of a bare-chested Mr Bolsenbroek cuddling his son is on his Facebook page.

It appeared there was a large fight between two groups and Mr Bolsenbroek is believed to have been injured when he acted as a peace-maker.

It is thought he made it back to his mother’s house, where he reported feeling unwell and took a taxi to hospital. He died at around 1am on Sunday at the James Cook University Hospital.

A friend writing on the Middlesbrough FC supporters internet forum said “scumbags” hit Mr Bolsenbroek several times while he was on the floor.

He said an argument had escalated into a “full-scale brawl” involving up to 25 men and women, with “chairs, tables, bottles and glasses flying”.

The friend added: “Benji was one of the most genuine, nicest people you could have ever met (hence him trying to break up any fighting) who had just became a dad a few days before.

“He was beaming with pride all night, showing off pictures to everybody of his newborn child.”

On Wednesday Mr Bolsenbroek, who was unemployed and lived in Thornaby, wrote on Facebook: “i cudnt be any happier

“its been hard these last 2 days to peel the smile off my face

“right..... lets get dwn to buisness soaking the babys head saturday”

Ms McGuire wrote on Facebook about losing “the best dad ever”.

She said: “I am numb, only the support of my true love Benji Bolsenbroek would get me through such a traumatic time but I am taking comfort in the fact he got to witness our perfect son enter the world.

“He was the best dad ever and had so much more to give but he lives on with all of us in Kianey.

“Sleep tight handsome, until we meet again. I love you more than words could ever say and I always always will xxx”

Detective Superintendent Rob Donaghy, who is leading the investigation, said CCTV images of the “large-scale fight” inside the pub were clear. A post-mortem examination had proved inconclusive and further tests were needed.

“Benji’s death is being treated as unexplained,” he said. “This is a complex inquiry with many strands to it. I’m aware there is lots of speculation and rumour.

“My absolute priority is to get answers from Benji’s family who have suffered a rollercoaster of emotions with the birth of a baby and the heartbreaking death of their son and brother.”