A man has died in hospital almost three weeks after he was allegedly assaulted in a pub beer garden in Harrogate.
Paul Colin Morrison, 51, from Burton Leonard, Harrogate, passed away on Thursday (20 November 2014) afternoon at Harrogate District Hospital.
He had been in a critical condition since the incident which occurred at the rear beer garden of the Wetherspoons Royal Baths pub on Parliament Street at about 7.30pm on Saturday 1 November 2014.
A 43-year-old man from the York area also required treatment for facial injuries during the incident.
Following police enquiries, a 44-year-old man from Harrogate was arrested on 3 November in connection with the investigation. He was charged with actual bodily harm on the 43-year-old man and grievous bodily harm without intent against Mr Morrison. He appeared at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court on 4 November and the case was committed to York Crown Court.
Following the death of Mr Morrison, North Yorkshire Police is liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service about the investigation.
Detective Sergeant Steve Menzies, from Harrogate CID, said: Our thoughts are with Mr Morrison’s family at this very distressing time. We are doing everything we can to support them while further enquiries are undertaken.
Mr Morrison’s wife Lisa and children Marie, Leah and Joe have issued the following statement:
Paul was a larger-than-life character, loved by so many people. He was a devoted family man, friend and businessman who will leave a hole which can’t be filled.The family would like to thank all the staff at Harrogate District Hospital for all their support, care and compassion shown over the last three weeks.
We also thank everyone for all their kind wishes and continued support.
Appeal for witnesses inside the pub
The investigation team is still appealing for potential witnesses to come forward who were inside the Wetherspoons pub prior to alleged assault in the rear beer garden area.
DS Menzies said: In particular, we have established that Mr Morrison and the other alleged victim were with a group of men who may have been talking to some women inside the pub. Mr Morrison is then believed to have chatted to a woman in the beer garden just before he was injured.
There is no suggestion that these general conversations were in anyway linked to the alleged assaults that followed, but it is vitally important that these women contact the police as soon as possible to assist the investigation.
If you can help, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Harrogate CID.
If you prefer to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting reference number 12140189150.
