Two charged with murder of dad beaten in street

Two men have been charged with murder following the incident in Oakes Avenue, Brockholes, between Huddersfield and Holmfirth, on Wednesday evening. A woman has been charged with assisting an offender.

55-year-old John Collins, was seen by neighbours covered in blood after the attack, in which witnesses said he was beaten and kicked.

He was initially conscious and talking to paramedics after the incident. But after being taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary his condition deteriorated and died in the early hours of Thursday.

Neighbours said there had been problems with anti-social behaviour on the street.

A family friend, who did not want to be named, said: "He went to go and get his daughter from the house where she was and they just attacked him.

"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."

Police cordoned off a large part of the street while forensic experts moved in. Two men aged 28 have been charged along with a 23-year-old woman over the incident. They will appear before magistrates in Dewsbury in the morning.

Another man who was arrested has been released without charge.

Police said the area was not a "hot spot" for anti-social behaviour.

A statement from West Yorkshire Police said: "While we have received reports of low level anti-social behaviour in the Oakes Lane area of Brockholes, it is not classed as an hot spot."

The statement added: "Serious crime in the Brockholes area is extremely rare. We are currently stepping up our reassurance patrols within the local community and thank the residents for their continued support."

Det Chief Insp Mark Ridley, leading the investigation, said: "We are conducting a thorough investigation into the full circumstances and I would make a personal appeal to any witnesses, or anyone with information, to contact us."

Today flowers had been placed against a fence near where the incident happened with heartfelt messages for Mr Collins and his family.

Anyone with information is asked to call 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.