'Loving and caring' man died after violent Leicester attack

Craig Maposa's family say he was paying the school fees for five of the children who live in the village he was born

The loved ones of a man killed in a violent attack say their lives have been "irreparably changed and damaged".

Craig Maposa, 26, had been on a night out with friends in Dryden Street, Leicester, when he was set upon at about 05:40 BST on 5 August.

He died in hospital a few days later as a result of head injuries.

Blessing and Brendon Mukunguruste, 27 and 31 respectively, were jailed for four and a half years after admitting manslaughter.

Leicestershire Police said an argument occurred between Mr Maposa and the brothers after leaving a nightclub on the night of his death.

After turning into Gower Street, the defendants attacked the victim, punching him to the floor and knocking him unconscious.

The pair then dragged the victim out of the road, leaving him alone on the pavement, before leaving the scene.

Police said Mr Maposa regained consciousness a short time later and was helped by a member of the public, who walked with him towards Gravel Street.

A taxi took him to his home address in the Eyres Monsell area of Leicester at about 08:25, where he was found unresponsive the following day.

Blessing (left) and Brendon Mukunguruste were both sentenced to four and a half years in prison

Mr Maposa was taken to hospital and tests found he had a large bleed on his brain. He was pronounced dead on 7 August.

Detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit murder investigation team identified the brothers as being involved in an altercation with Mr Maposa and they were arrested.

After admitting manslaughter, they were sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

The victim's family said their lives had been "irreparably changed and damaged" in a statement released after the sentencing.

Future 'taken from him'

It said: "Craig was a remarkable person who treated everyone with love and kindness and it is so sad he did not get this in return.

"Craig's passing has had a massive impact on our lives. We are truly devastated and miss him so much. We miss his quirky sense of humour, his dances, his cheeky smile and his huge presence.

"Craig came to the UK from Zimbabwe in 2009 at the age of 11 and grew up to be a responsible, loving and caring man. He had visions for the future but never forgot his past.

"We grieve the hole his death has left, and we grieve the future that was taken from him."

Det Insp David Greenhalgh described the attack on Mr Maposa as "violent", with a "tragic outcome".

He urged anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation to walk away from a disagreement, warning of the "devastating consequences" that could arise.