Father-of-three who was left severely disabled by football thugs dies please log in to view this image A father-of-three left severely disabled after being assaulted by a gang of football hooligans died at home today more than five years after the unprovoked attack. Simon Dobbin, 48, was beaten and 'kicked like a football' after going to watch Cambridge United play at Southend United in Essex in a brutal 90-second assault. The football fan from Mildenhall, Suffolk, who served in the Royal Air Force, suffered permanent brain damage and was left severely disabled by the attack in March 2015. Mr Dobbin's ordeal touched the nation when his house was transformed by a team led by Nick Knowles on the BBC programme DIY SOS: The Big Build in January 2019. The episode saw an army of volunteers help to turn his home into one more suitable for his needs, after he was left requiring round-the-clock care following the assault. Today, his widow Nicole, 48, said he had been 'his usual self, laughing and smiling the day before', adding that his death was a shock to her and their daughter Emily. She told : 'Today I lost my gentle giant, words cannot express the loss I'm feeling. 'I'm thankful for the fantastic memories I have, he fought so very hard to be with his family. 'Sadly his heart wasn't strong enough, but he is now at peace and will be forever in my heart.' Essex Police said they will now 'review' their initial investigation as discussions are held over whether any further charges need to be brought against the attackers. Twelve men were jailed in 2017 but have all since been released from prison. please log in to view this image Cambridge United fan Simon Dobbin, pictured with his wife Nicole. He died today aged 48 please log in to view this image Mr Dobbin is pictured (centre) with Cambridge fans at Southend United's Roots Hall in 2015 please log in to view this image Mr Dobbin is pictured in hospital on DIY SOS in January 2019 after he was left brain damaged please log in to view this image Mr Dobbin's home was transformed by a team from DIY SOS, who provided him with his own bedroom for the first time in three years. Above: The back garden before the transformation please log in to view this image After: As part of the transformation led by Nick Knowles, large glass doors were added to the property and the garden was modernised so the family could get out and enjoy the space Essex Police Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Jennings said today: 'Our thoughts go to Simon's family and friends at this very difficult time. We will review the initial investigation to establish whether we need to take any further action.' In July 2017, Basildon Crown Court convicted 13 men over the attack. Nine men were found guilty of violent disorder, three of conspiracy to commit violent disorder and one of assisting an offender. RIP Simon
Let's hope they do review it. To do that to someone and be out in 3 years was absolutely disgraceful sentencing in the first place.
Yes can vouch for that, when I was a young cheeky bugger, knocked on his door for an autograph, he obliged.As did Mick Milner as well. happy days With regard to Waggy, he was my hero but he never signed .my old man got it for me when he saw Waggy in his car on Beverley Westwood counting his winnings after the races!
I wonder if any of them received true justice after release. A quick Google suggests one of them went straight back into prison whilst on licence for, you guessed it.
I believed and agreed with him, but last night he turned up in my room and said, "Oh well, sorry Kemps, but I was wrong"
RIP Bobby Ball. Lovely bloke. We were coming home from salou a few years ago and he was on the front row of the plane with his wife and family. I said hi ya and shook his hand and he was lovely as I boarded. We were a couple of rows back and You could see nearly everyone doing the same. And as the people all walked down the aisle to their seats they were all smiling. He was just one of those blokes who made you smile. RIP
