Five children held over murder of 80-year-old man in Leicestershire

Five children have been arrested on suspicion of murder - including three 12-year-olds - after the death of an 80-year-old man who was allegedly attacked while walking his dog on Sunday evening, barely 20 yards from his front door.

- Vikram Dodd , Hannah Al-Othman

Leicestershire police say the pensioner was found after having been assaulted at about 6.30pm in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town.

He has been named locally as Bhim Kohli, and lived with his family close to the spot where he was found.

The Guardian understands that in July an incident was reported to police after Kohli was allegedly verbally abused by a group of youths near his home.

After the death of Kohli, police say they are keeping an open mind into the motive and circumstances of the attack. Police say Kohli was found in the park and died later in hospital.

They believe he was attacked by a group of youngsters who then fled the scene.

After inquiries, detectives made the decision to arrest the five children - a boy and two girls, all of them 12 years old, and a boy and girl, both 14.

The children were in custody and being interviewed by detectives under criminal caution, police added.

In a statement, Leicestershire police said: "It is reported the victim, who was walking his dog and is believed to have been wearing a black jumper and grey jogging bottoms, was seriously assaulted by a group of young people. They left the scene prior to emergency services arriving."

The scene of the attack was last night cordoned off by blue and white police tape. It was just inside the entrance to the park, about 20 yards from the Kohli family's front door.