Killed for protecting his girlfriend: Parklife marred by spate of vicious attacks

• Robert Hart punched to death after stopping toy hitting his girlfriend
• Drug dealers slash another man’s neck because he won’t buy pills
• 17-year-old boy needed 100 stitches after stabbing

Sick thugs killed a man at Parklife festival by punching and kicking him – because he was protecting his girlfriend from an inflatable toy.

Robert Hart died in hospital yesterday

Robert Hart, 26, died in hospital on Wednesday – four days after he was brutally knocked unconscious at the Manchester festival.

Amid a spate of attacks at the festival, another man suffered serious neck injuries when Ecstasy dealers smashed a vodka bottle over his head because he refused to buy any pills.

Hart was killed when another crowd member hit him in the head at around 9.15 pm on Saturday, just before Snoop Dogg took to the stage.

He was struck moments after trying to stop his girlfriend from whacked in the head with an inflatable toy.

Paramedics attempted CPR at scene and Hart was moved to the medical facility on site where police spoke to him as he briefly regained consciousness.

But Hart was then rushed to hospital where he was treated for bleeding of the brain.

Parklife-e-fit Police have released an e-fit of his assailant

Now, police are hunting for the reveller who the delivered the fatal blow.

An e-fit of the suspect has been released, and police are urging witnesses in the crowd to come forward.

The offender is described as a male, mixed race, muscular, 6ft1 tall and in his late 20s. He has dark hair with shaved sides and was wearing shorts shorts and a blue, bomber jacket with the letter ‘A’ in white on the front.

This disturbing picture of a violent attack at the festival has circulated on social media

A disturbing image released on social media sites earlier this week shows a music fan being kicked in the head as others look on.

The attack was just one of a number of assaults at the festival, which was headlined by Snoop Dogg.

Brothers Daniel and Craig Welch were stabbed with broken bottles by two Ecstasy dealers after they declined to buy any.

Daniel, aged 19, suffered serious neck injuries after he was slashed with the vodka bottle, and his older brother Jonathan said he thought he was going to die.

He told Manchester Evening News: “At one stage it looked like he might lose his arm as the knife had gone right through the muscle.

“He was slipping in and out of consciousness and we had to keep waking him up.

“It happened in the middle of a field between the main stage and another one at 7.30pm on Saturday.

“It was a shambles, my mate had to hold the wound together until the paramedics arrived.

“I would like to know how someone was able to get a litre bottle of vodka and knives into the event when people are supposed to be checked.”

Another 17-year-old boy required 100 stitches after thugs slashed him across the face in front of the main stage in an attack described as unprovoked.

Police have now arrested two men in connection with stabbings at Parklife.

Speaking about Robert Hart’s death, Det Insp Richard Eales said: “Our immediate thoughts go out to Robert’s family and loved ones. We currently have specially trained officers with them to help through this terrible time.

“We are still in the early stages of this investigation, however several witnesses have assisted us with vital information concerning the description of the offender.

We believe a confrontation took place following an inflatable doll hitting Robert’s girlfriend.

“We are aware other assaults took place in the park that evening , but I am specifically appealing for witnesses who recall seeing the inflatable doll and the attack on Robert immediately thereafter.

“I am keen for those witnesses to come forward and other persons nearby who may have mobile phone footage of the attack or captured an image of the person responsible.

“Finally, if you are the man responsible or were with him that evening, please come forward.”

A spokesman for Parklife said: “Everyone involved in Parklife is devastated by today’s deeply sad announcement. Our sincerest and heartfelt condolences go out to Robert’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“We will continue to assist Greater Manchester Police with its investigation and urge anyone that may have witnessed the incident to contact the Police through any official channel available to them.”

Anyone with information should contact the incident room directly on 0161 85 69283 or email the incident room on [email protected] with any relevant footage.

Alternatively you can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.