Boy, 14, appears in court charged with murder of elderly dog walker

A 14-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of a grandfather who was attacked while walking his dog.

The schoolboy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of killing Bhim Sen Kohli, who died on Monday after being attacked near his home in Braunstone Town, near Leicester.

Police arrested a boy and a girl aged 14, and a boy and two girls aged 12, on suspicion of murder.

Four of the suspects were released with no further action but on Wednesday, the 14-year-old boy was charged with murder.

Appearing at Leicester Youth Court on Thursday morning, the boy, wearing a black jumper and tracksuit bottoms, spoke only to confirm his name, age, and address.

Later the boy appeared in Leicester Crown Court where he was remanded until a trial next year.

During the brief hearing the teenager gave a smile to his mother and other family members sitting in the public gallery.

Judge William Harbage KC said he would be remanded in youth detention and would next appear in October for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Judge Harbage told the boy: “You have been sent to the crown court today. There is a long way to go before this matter comes to trial.

“A trial is likely to be held in February of next year. You will be remanded in custody into youth detention and you will stay there at least until the plea and trial preparation hearing, unless an application is made in the mean time.”

Leicestershire Police said a post-mortem examination, pending further tests, found that Mr Kohli died from a neck injury.

His family have described him as a “loving, caring person” who enjoyed walking their family dog at the park “many times a day”.

Leicestershire Police said they had made a voluntary referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because of prior contact with the victim.

Following further contact with the watchdog, the force has now made a mandatory referral.