A County Durham man has been arrested after a dad of two tragically died following an attack in a Chichester pub as his heartbroken family paid tribute to him.
The unnamed man, aged 42, was arrested on suspicion of affray in connection with the incident at The Dolphin and Anchor pub in Chichester on June 20 and has been released on conditional bail.
David Hallatt, 57, a tiler from South Yorkshire, was out with work friends when at around 11pm he was assaulted by an unknown man.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services to save the dad of two, he was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have since charged Kieran Egan, 30, of Baldmoor Lake Road in Birmingham, with murder.
He appeared before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Monday, June 24, and was remanded in custody until the next hearing at Lewes Crown Court.
A Sussex Police spokesman said: “David Hallatt had been enjoying an evening with workmates at The Dolphin and Anchor, in West Street, on Thursday 20 June when he was assaulted by a man not known to him.
“The incident occurred about 11pm, and despite the best efforts of police and paramedics who commenced CPR, he was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.”
David's family have now released a heartbreaking tribute paying tribute to their much loved dad who leaves behind a wife and two daughters.
They said: “David was so violently taken from us. He was married for 25 years with two young daughters, aged 20 and 22.
“He lived for his family, and he loved his work as a tiler travelling the country. He played the electric guitar and was an avid football and rock music fan.
“Forever in our broken hearts, Sadie (wife), and Rosie and Sally (daughters).”
Police say they are also attempting to locate a third man suspected of affray.
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