Tributes paid to Neil McGibbon who died after Loddon assault

Neil McGibbon, aged in his 50s, was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with life-threatening injuries after an assault near The Kings Head in Loddon on Friday evening. 

He died on Monday.

By this morning, ten bouquets of flowers had been left at the scene where he was assaulted, some with heartfelt messages in tribute to Mr McGibbon.

Flowers laid at the scene in Loddon (Image: Submitted)Neil McGibbon tragically died on Monday, November 13 having been in critical condition since Friday evening, November 10 (Image: Submitted)
One read: "RIP Lovely Neil x. We will miss you so much. Love Dawn and Ciaran."

Another read: "Neil. Sleep well. Thank you for the laughs. We wish you were here. Love you darling Tanya."

Another read: "Neil we all love you and you will never be forgotten. All our love, Craig, Shakey, Jeff, Sean, Fred!! Love you Pal x."

Another read: "Neil RIP mate. Top man. Philip + Debbie. Love you buddy!"Flowers laid in tribute to Mr McGibbon in Loddon (Image: Submitted)It is said Mr McGibbon had been assisting the landlord, Phillip Taylor, along with other regular drinkers, in removing a group of men from the pub's smoking area.

READ MORE: Pub landlord describes 'horror' assault as friend fights for his life

Five men, all aged in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm and questioned at Wymondham Police Investigation Centre. 

They were released on bail to appear at the Wymondham centre on February 7.

Police had cordoned off the area where Neil was punched (Image: Submitted)The cordoned off area (Image: Submitted)

Officers arrested a sixth person, a man in his 50s, on suspicion of assault on Monday.

He was also questioned by police and has since been released on bail to appear at Wymondham Police Investigation Centre on February 5.

Kings Head landlord Philip Taylor (left) and the victim Neil McGibbon (right) pictured in the pub (Image: Submitted)Detective Inspector Sam Pontin, from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team, said: “Enquiries have been carried out at the scene over the weekend and a number of witnesses spoken to.

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"These enquiries continue in order to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and in particular the events leading up to it.

“We understand this incident will come as a shock to the local community and that’s why we’d ask anyone with relevant information that hasn’t yet come forward to make contact with us.

"We are aware people in the area will have concerns but there will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days whilst the investigation continues.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident, including any dash cam or doorbell footage, can contact the Major Investigation Team (MIT) via the online portal or by calling 101 and quoting crime reference 36/80074/23.

Some messages on the flowers laid (Image: Submitted)