A SOLDIER was beaten to death only hours before he was due to pay his respects at the Cenotaph in London.

Graeme Richard Johnson, 37, a member of the Territorial Army and father of a three-year-old girl, was walking home from a night out with his father when he was attacked.

He suffered head and neck injuries in what police described as a sustained and unprovoked attack. He died within yards of his front door in Creslow, Heworth, Gateshead, on a playing field next to Heworth Grange Comprehensive School.

A neighbour next to his semi-detached home, where he lived alone, said: "Graeme was a really wonderful father - he lived for his little girl and doted on her.

"I am just glad she is perhaps too young to understand."

Police are still awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination, but believe Mr Johnson, a warehouseman, died from head and neck injuries.

Acting Superintendent Tony Thornton, of Northumbria Police, said: "He was clearly the victim of a vicious attack."

Mr Johnson, who was separated from the mother of his daughter, had been preparing to travel the 300 miles to London to observe the minute's silence at yesterday's remembrance service.

He had been out drinking with his father at Pelaw Social Club, on Friday night and was walking home when he was confronted by a gang of youths outside the Ship Inn.

One member of the gang attacked him. A running battle ensued for about ten minutes, spilling on to the playing field where Mr Johnson died.

He was declared dead at the scene by emergency services, who arrived just after midnight.

"He was subject to a sustained and unprovoked attack, which resulted in his death," said Acting Supt Thornton. "He was part of a very close family and they are absolutely devastated."

Detectives are keen to trace witnesses to the attack, especially an elderly woman who tried to intervene, and two men in a red car who also tried to break up the fight.

At the time of the attack, Mr Johnson was wearing a plain grey T-shirt, blue jeans, white trainers and possibly a two-tone Berghaus jacket.

Police have charged an 18-year-old man from Gateshead with murder, and he is due to appear before Gateshead Magistrates' Court today.

Three other teenagers arrested were later released.