Father-of-three died after he was hit on the head with a bottle while on a stag do in Prague, inquest hears

By Matt Drake 17:44 17 Oct 2024, updated 17:55 17 Oct 2024

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A father-of-three, described as being the glue that held his family together, died after he was stuck on the head with a bottle of vodka while on a stag do in Prague, an inquest heard.

David Richards, 31, had been on the boys' trip to the Czech capital just hours after returning from holiday with his partner Jola Simms and their three children.

An inquest opening in Pontypridd was told the 'exact circumstances' of Mr Richard's death were unclear but a 'full investigation' would take place into the attack.

Mr Richards, known as Dai, is believed to have been struck to the back by the bottle on the first night of the stag weekend and died two days later.

Coroner's officer Beverley Morgan said: 'Mr Richards resided with his partner and children.

'On September 19, together with friends, he travelled to Prague in the Czech Republic on a stag do.

'The exact circumstances are unclear at this time.

'However, it is believed that late in the evening an incident occurred in a street where Mr Richards was hit on the head with a bottle.'

The hearing was told Mr Richards, of Mountain Ash, South Wales, suffered a brain trauma, swelling, and haemorrhaging.

Coroner Patricia Morgan said there was reason to suspect his death was 'violent or unnatural' and adjourned the inquest for a full investigation to take place.

In a tribute following his death, partner Jola said the family's world has 'been crushed' since the devastating loss of her 'soul mate'.

In a Facebook post, she said: 'No amount of time behind bars will ever be enough for him, taking away my soul mate and our precious baby's daddy.

'Our world has been crushed.'

The couple have three children - Aurora, four, Bear, aged two, and one-year-old Vienna.

Mr Richards' heartbroken family say he was 'an absolutely amazing father, partner, son, brother, and friend', who was the 'glue of the family'.

Family and friends have rallied around Jola and the three children and set up a fundraiser to help 'take some pressure away at this devastating time.'

Jola's sister Jodie said: 'Jola you have 3 beautiful children who have unbreakable bonds, unique characters and perfect smiles that'll give you a reason to smile each day even if it is only for a split second.

'You're my baby sister and I hope all my love and support can get you through this horrendous nightmare.

'I'll never not be here for you and I'll never stop loving you and those 3 precious babies. I'll look after you, always my girl.'

They hoped to raise £2,000 but over £8,500 has been donated over three days.

Mr Richards set off from his family home in Mountain Ash, South Wales, at 5am on Friday for a fun weekend away but was attacked at 10pm.

He was put on a life support machine but died in hospital on September 21.

Local media in Prague say a man, 26, was arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm.

Mr Richards' family said he was hit on the head in a 'blind attack'.

They say they have been told his provisional cause of death is blunt force trauma after he was struck once to the back of the head.

His sister-in-law Tammy Sheehan, cousin Gemma Thomas, and partner Miss Simms said Mr Richards had returned from a family holiday on Thursday night before heading to Prague on Friday for the stag do of a close friend.

They said: 'He left the house at 5am and it was by 10pm that night our time Gemma and Jola had a phone call to say that there was an incident that had happened with David and the whole family needed to get a flight as soon as possible as he was critical.'

The family said when they arrived they hoped Mr Richards would pull through his injuries.

However, life-support machines were switched off on Saturday afternoon.

They said: 'It wasn't a fight like what I think some people are thinking - it was a blind attack.

'From the attack he actually passed away from blunt force trauma. David was talking to locals in the street when he took a blow to the back of the head.'

The family said a French passer-by gave first aid at the scene.

They said the tragic situation was made even worse by the fact that the incident happened abroad with the family feeling as though local authorities weren't as helpful as expected.

'What we found as a family was that they were really abrupt and blunt and just not that helpful to us, the family said.

'It just didn't seem like a nice place to visit.

'We just had an awful experience even when we were asking for help and they were just looking at us really blank.'

Some of Mr Richards' family remain in Prague while they wait for the death certificate.

The family paid tribute to Mr Richards by saying: 'We would describe David as having the heart of a lion. He was an extremely family-orientated person.

'He was the fun one - he always brought the energy. We described him as the glue to the family.

'He was an absolutely amazing father, partner, son, brother, and friend. There isn't a bad word to be said about him.

'It is absolutely awful. Jola being a single mother of three children she is going to be in an awkward financial situation so we just wanted to help. 'The outpouring of love has been so overwhelming but it's comforting to see how well-loved he was.'

Prague Morning on Tuesday quoted police spokesman Jan Daněk who said the men were part of separate groups who had been talking before an argument broke out.

According to Prague Morning, he said: 'One individual struck another in the head with a vodka bottle.

'The impact was so severe that the victim collapsed immediately and tragically died in the hospital.'

Mr Daněk added: 'The 26-year-old man is now facing charges of grievous bodily harm and disorderly conduct.

'If convicted he could be sentenced to up to 16 years in prison.'

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