Attack victim remembered as 'loved and respected'

Dennis Whiston, 73, died in hospital after he suffered a head injury in an assault

A man who died after being assaulted was a "loved and respected" husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, his family have said.

Dennis Whiston, 73, suffered a head injury when he was attacked on Hayle in the Belgrave area of Tamworth at about 19:10 GMT on 31 October.

He was taken to hospital where he died on 4 November. A 15-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of section 18 wounding was later released on bail, Staffordshire Police said.

The family of Mr Whiston, who lived in Tamworth, thanked people for the "wonderful" messages, cards and flowers they received in his memory.

"Words cannot express how much Dennis was loved and respected as a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather," they said.

"We kindly ask that people respect our privacy and give us time to mourn our loss without constant speculation on social media about the circumstances of his passing."

Police investigating the assault said they were keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the attack or who might have CCTV, dashcam and doorbell footage.