'He left us with a tear in his eye'

On the summer’s evening of August 24, he strolled into the pub and introduced himself as ‘Curly’, a playful poke of fun at himself and his baldness.

Spending the evening with his friend, Big Tony, he enjoyed a couple of pints and sang a few songs on the karaoke. He was happy, laughing, joking and enjoying his night in Bury town centre.

As he left he wished the staff ‘good night’, adding: “I had a wonderful night tonight”.

READ MORE: Violent coward killed elderly man in sickening one-punch attack, tried to run away and then lied to police

Just minutes later he lay prone on the ground, barely conscious, and suffering from a fracture to the skull. He never regained consciousness. Two weeks later he died with his family by his side as his favourite Elton John song played.

Michael Dawson was just two weeks shy of his 79th birthday when he was attacked by Nathan Pilling last year. Pilling had been cycling on the pavement at speed whilst wearing a balaclava.

Mr Dawson shouted to him to get off the pavement. He was met with a violent confrontation. Pilling then fled, leaving Mr Dawson to die.

Pilling, 24, pleaded guilty on the day of his trial to manslaughter. Today, September 25, he was jailed for just over five years.

The courtroom at Minshull Street Crown Court was packed full of family and friends, neighbours and fellow hikers, all of which had a close relationship with Mr Dawson.

Taking to the witness box, his granddaughter, Natasha Fisch, said: “I’ve written this letter a million times in my head wanting to address the court on behalf of my wonderful grandad. Everything I have written doesn’t seem to do my grandad justice.

“There are no words to describe how much he meant to me. I live in constant distress and physically always have a lump in my throat. My grandad was the most wonderful person I have ever known. Grandad, or gramps, was the father I never had. My best friend, my whole world and everything in it.

“My grandad was such a huge part of my life, he had been there for me since I was a baby and he worked hard to provide for our family. You may think he might have started slowing down in his old age but the later years were some of the best of his life. He was about to be best man for his cousin and had already started writing his speech.

“He was always telling jokes and always wanted to make people laugh. He was a good man with a big heart, he was generous, cared for others and went out of his way to help a stranger in need. He had a passion for walking and singing. Everybody from his grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and neighbours. They say how they miss hearing him sing when he was doing his gardening.

“He always wore his glasses on his head, but now my lasting memory of him is in intensive care with tubes pumping medication into with a huge black eye. The idea that someone so kind, gentle and caring would be on the receiving end of such violence and aggression is sickening and inexcusable.”

She said that the fact Pilling initially pleaded not guilty put the family through ‘hell’ knowing that he was walking the streets.

She continued: “When you strike a person of this age and frailty you know exactly what you are doing. The police told us the killer showed no concern or remorse and his only concern was for the whereabouts of his bike. When your loved one goes out, your main concern is that they will get home safe.

“Should the elderly have to stay inside to avoid being attacked in the street? Should they stay at home for fear if a 23-year-old coward should attack them?

“I had a good job and had travelled the world. I have not been able to work since this happened. I am not the same person anymore. All that is left is a shell of who I was. I can’t understand how something so horrible can happen to such a kind soul. I no longer feel safe. “I can’t bring myself to think how much my dear Gramps suffered, what his thoughts were and the extent of his pain.

“I face daily heartache and sadness and am plagued by night terrors. It’s a living hell.

"I feel like a piece of my heart is missing. The circumstances of his death makes my soul feel tortured.

"I feel like I have two lives, one before and one now. I so desperately want to do right by him.

"If I could have swapped places with him, I would have. The one person I could talk to about all this is Gramps.

“He was one of those people who gave everything to everyone and wanted nothing for themselves. I never got to say goodbye. That was robbed from us. He was a hard working independent man. He was happy, active and had a vibrant social life.

“He loved animals, singing, hiking and his family and friends. He loved having a look around a charity shop, a cup of tea and an egg custard. He also volunteered as a driver for a cancer charity.”

Another granddaughter of Mr Dawson, Monique Fisch said: “He was such a wonderful, caring person. He was very active and loved his life. Being here today has been quite distressing, and watching the clip of the attack made me feel helpless. I wanted to tell him that everything was going to be OK and that he wasn’t alone.”

Phillip Woods, partner of Natasha Fisch said: “He was a wonderful man and gentleman. He was one of the good guys. I knew one day Natasha would have to come to terms with him not being around and she said: ‘I don’t know what I would do without him’.

“He never had the opportunity to die a natural death. It’s sad that an elderly person could be assaulted in this way. I wish I could have been there to prevent this from happening. My partner is a shell of her former self and it is hard for me to see her suffering.”

Jennifer Fisch, the daughter of Mr Dawson said: “I never imagined this could happen to you.

How can an innocent man’s life be taken away by the hands of another? I can’t comprehend it, and I do not think I ever will.

“He was the most gentle, genuine, caring man with a sense of humour that had us crying with laughter. He was just the greatest dad and grandad.

“Since his death I often drive to his house and wait for the light to come on. I tell myself that he is just out on one of his walking holidays - this is what I’ve been telling myself since.

“My last memory of my father was seeing him with all these tubes in hospital and watching him take his last breath and listening to his favourite song - Candle in the Wind by Elton John. He left us with a tear in his eye.”

Addressing Pilling, who sat emotionless in the dock, she said: “You will never know the pain and suffering you have caused.”

Sentencing, Judge Tina Landale said: “Having left the public house, Mr Dawson noticed you cycling on the path and pedestrian area and shouted something over to you. You swerved over towards him and confronted him.

“There was no need for you to do so. Even after dismounting and approaching him, you had the opportunity to walk away. Instead you punched him to his face so forcefully that you knocked him to the ground.

“It’s right to observe that in reality, Mr Dawson posed no threat to you at all. The whole situation from the start to the tragic end was created by your antisocial and criminal actions.”

Pilling, of Deal Street, will serve two thirds of his sentence in prison before being released on licence.