Cambridge United fan Dobin suffered a permanent brain injury after his side’s 0-0 attack on Southend United on March 21, 2015. He was unable to walk or speak and needed 24-hour care after the attack at Station Approach, Southend, Essex. Mr. Dobbin died at the age of 48 on October 21, 2020 at his home in Mildenhall, Suffolk. Medical tests showed a direct link between Mr Dobbin’s death and his injuries, Essex police said. The five suspects, aged 27, 30, 34, 39 and 45, were arrested on Friday morning at addresses in the south of the prefecture. All are being held in custody and will be questioned as murder suspects. Detective Steven Jennings of the Kent and Essex Serious Crimes Directorate, who is leading the investigation, said: of 2015. “As a result of these findings, we have begun to treat Simon’s death as a homicide and a new investigation has begun. “As part of this investigation, we have arrested five people this morning on suspicion of murder. “We are also talking to a number of people we consider witnesses in order to collect their accounts.” Image: Mr Dobbin suffered permanent brain damage after an attack in 2015. Cambridge United FC paid tribute to Dobbin after the announcement of his death – tweeting how the club thought of his wife, Nicole, daughter, Emily, and close family and friends. Ms Dobbin described her husband as “her kind giant” who “fought so hard to be with his family”. “Unfortunately his heart was not strong enough, but now he is calm and will be in my heart forever.” Mr. Dobbin appeared in an episode of the DIY SOS program in January 2019, when presenter Nick Knowles paid tribute to his family who “put everything aside to take care of him.”
