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Duane Murdoch, 55, was reportedly hit from behind and then kicked in the face and body while on the ground in the daylight attack by three youths. He had been walking through a park after a shopping trip. Two girls who were with the lads looked on and Duane was left badly bruised and had two broken ribs.

These youths are free to do this again as there are no consequences

Pauline McCullagh, Duane Murdoch’s partner

Duane’s body was found five days later but a coroner has since put his death down to natural causes.

However, Duane’s partner Pauline McCullagh wants to offer a £1,000 reward to find the teens who beat him up as she believes “the attack played it’s part in his death”.

She fears the yobs could strike again following the violence at Castle Green Park in Barnstaple, Devon.

Despite Pauline’s encouragement and advice from neighbours, Duane didn’t report the attack to police as he felt “too embarrassed”.

Speaking to Devon Live, Pauline said: “These youths are free to do this again as there are no consequences. I would like to offer £1,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of these thugs, hoping that maybe even one of the girls may have a conscience. Unfortunately £1,000 is all that I can afford.”

As Duane walked through the park on April 16, the gang reportedly shouted “Where are you going old man?” and Duane replied “Going home” as he walked away. He was then knocked to the ground from behind.

Despite his injuries, the man didn’t go to hospital. He reportedly told neighbours in Barnstaple he sustained “worse (injuries) playing rugby.”

And Pauline, who lives in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, where she cares for her sister, said her spouse was a “fit and well” man.

“I’m still numb since his death. I can’t really take it in,” she continued.

“He was fit and well the week before. 

“The coroner put Duane’s death down to natural causes as he didn’t die straight away. They said that all his organs had broken down. All of us that that know Duane knew that this attack played it’s part in his death – even if indirectly. He had been fit and happy whilst near Birmingham one week earlier.”

In the days following the attack, Duane talked to his partner regularly on the telephone.

On the day Duane was found dead – Thursday April 21 – he called his spouse and said “I love you Pauline Ann McCullagh”.

Pauline, who met Duane on holiday in Cyprus eight years ago, said: “I told him if he loved me then he would look after himself and go to hospital. He repeated it again and said ‘I just need you to know that’. In hindsight I would say that he knew he was dying for him to have used my full name.

“When he had explained beforehand what happened, I asked if he had informed the police, he told me he had which unfortunately was not true, apparently he was too embarrassed. Despite the advice of his neighbours he refused to go to hospital.

“Duane had just spent four months with me near Birmingham where I now live to care for my sister who is disabled. He was a great support to me during a difficult time. He had only been back in Barnstaple for a week before this attack.”

Anybody who witnessed the attack or has any information which could help police is asked to contact the officer in the case Sgt John Crewe at Barnstaple police station and quote the investigation number EN/005981/22. Any reward would have to be coordinated via Crimestoppers which is an independent body.

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