Shock as father dies after 'beating in street'

Father-of-three John Collins died in hospital a day after he was punched, kicked and stamped on near his home as he tried to make his way to a friend's house where his daughter was playing with a friend.

The retired 55-year-old was described as a quiet and friendly family man by neighbours, one of whom said he "couldn't have been an easier target" because he wasn't a large man and would not have fought back.

The assault took place on Wednesday evening just a few feet from the house where his daughter Laura was playing in Brockholes, a picturesque village in the Holme Valley between Huddersfield and Holmfirth.

Residents claimed the area has been targeted by yobs.

Neighbours said Mr Collins was initially conscious and talking after the attack. He managed to get up and walk the short distance to his house but then collapsed in the kitchen, according to witnesses.

His condition deteriorated and he died on Thursday.

A neighbour who knew Mr Collins well said: "He wouldn't have looked for trouble.

"Everybody liked John around here, you would see him every day and he was just a good guy. There couldn't have been an easier target than John really. He was 55 but he looked a lot older than that and he wasn't a big man so wouldn't have put up much of a fight.

"It was a cowardly attack; he was only a small man."

Mr Collins's partner of 10 years, Claire Woods, 29, was being comforted by a friend last night. He has two grown-up children from a previous relationship - Melanie, 26, and Christopher, 24.

In a joint statement, they said: "He was a much loved father and was always very supportive of us and he will be sadly missed."

Mr Collins had retired from his job at a Huddersfield scrapyard and cared for his elderly mother, who is in her 80s.

Friend Karen Warham, 44, who was looking after Laura when the attack happened, said: "John was a lovely man and he was very sociable. He was devoted to his little girl, he doted on her. He did whatever he could for her and I think she will be absolutely distraught."

Neighbours claim they have been plagued by anti-social behaviour for years.

"I am absolutely disgusted by what has happened," one woman said. "This street used to be nice and quiet but a few unsavoury characters ruined it."

Inspector Mark Trueman, of the Valleys Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "While we have received reports of low level anti-social behaviour in the Oakes Lane area of Brockholes, it is not classed as a hot spot for anti-social behaviour."

He said serious crime in Brockholes was "extremely rare".

Local councillor Beryl Smith described Brockholes as a "pleasant village" popular with professional people.

"It's a commuter village and not an area associated with serious crime. Although we are aware of anti-social behaviour, the police have been dealing with it."

Det Chief Insp Mark Ridley, who is leading the investigation, made a personal appeal to any witnesses, or anyone with information, to contact police.

Flowers marked the scene of the attack yesterday. A message attached to one bouquet said: "Your friendly smile and wave will be sadly missed."

n Detectives last night charged two men with Mr Collins's murder.

Douglas Stephen and Christopher Burton, both 28, are due to appear before Dewsbury magistrates today along with Louise Beebey, 23, who is charged with assisting an offender.