Simon Dobin was attacked in Southend, Essex after a match between Southend United vs. Cambridge United on March 21, 2015. The former RAF soldier died at the age of 48 on October 21, 2020. Until the attack he was working as a transport manager at a fuel company. Dobbin’s family cared for him 24 hours a day at his home in Mildenhall, Suffolk, until his death. Essex police said they began treating his death as homicide after medical tests showed a direct link between his death and the injuries he sustained. On Friday, five men aged 30, 34, 39, 45 and 27 were arrested at addresses in southern Essex, the force said. They are in custody and are being questioned as murder suspects. In November last year, police announced a 20 20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those directly responsible for Dobin’s death. Det Supt Stephen Jennings, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crimes Directorate, said police received more information and “we have people who have come forward” following the call. He said police had analyzed evidence obtained in 2015 “with a fine-toothed comb” and examined information from a 2017 trial in which 13 men were convicted of involvement in the attack. Jennings said he could not comment on whether any of the five arrested were among the 13 men convicted in the 2017 trial. “Simon’s wife, Nicole, and their daughter, Emily, are constantly updated on our progress,” said Jennings. “Simon was a completely innocent party to the turmoil that took place that day and his family went through an unimaginable period. “Simon’s injuries that day not only changed his life, they also changed the lives of Nicole and Emily. As a team, we will do everything we can to ensure justice for Nicole, Emily and Simon’s extended family and friends. “ He said that in addition to the five arrests, detectives were also talking to a number of people considered witnesses to collect their accounts. Nicole and Emily Dobbin spoke at a news conference last November, as police announced the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those directly responsible for his death. Nicole Dobbin said it was “over five of the most horrific years” and “now they are mourning again” after Dobbin’s death. “Simon was 48 years old with so much to look forward to,” he said. “Now he will not be able to grow old with me or see his daughter get married and his grandchildren grow up. “All these beautiful memories that we could have created, have been stolen from us.” The family appeared in a DIY SOS episode in 2019, with TV presenter Nick Knowles, interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and a team of volunteers spending nine days adapting the family home to better suit their needs.
