Five men arrested for murder of DIY SOS star attacked on way home from football match

Five men have been arrested on suspicion of murdering Simon Dobbin

Five men have been arrested on suspicion of murdering football fan Simon Dobbin, who died five years after he was attacked while walking home from a match.

Dobbin was left with permanent brain damage after being attacked following Cambridge United’s game with Southend United at Roots Hall on March 21, 2015. He was left unable to talk and required full-time care.

Mr Dobbin died at the age of 48 on October 21, 2020, with Essex Police saying there had been a direct link between the injuries he sustained and his death following medical tests.

The five men, aged 27, 30, 34, 39 and 45, were arrested on Friday morning at addresses across the south of the country. They are currently being held in custody and are set to be questioned on suspicion of murder.

Dobbin appeared on an episode of DIY SOS in January 2019, when presenter Nick Knowles paid tribute to his family who “put everything aside to care for him”.

It is with a heavy heart that Cambridge United can confirm we have received the devastating news that Simon Dobbin sadly passed away at home this morning.

Sweet dreams Simon. Forever a U 💛 🖤 pic.twitter.com/mNB5wlaBJP

— Cambridge United FC (@CambridgeUtdFC) October 21, 2020

Detective Superintendent confirmed that five men were arrested as a result of a new investigation

Detective Superintendent Stephen Jennings, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Investigations into Simon’s death showed a direct, causal link to the injuries he sustained in Southend on the day he was attacked in March 2015.

“As a result of those findings, we began treating Simon’s death as a homicide and a new investigation was launched.

“As part of that investigation, this morning we have arrested five people on suspicion of murder.

“We are also speaking to a number of people who we are considering as witnesses in order to gather their accounts.”