A 26-year-old man who died after being punched at a music festival was unlawfully killed, an inquest has concluded.

Robert Hart, who lived in Liverpool, died on June 11 last year, five days after an attack at Parklife, Heaton Park, left him with a bleed on his brain.

An inquest into his death began at Manchester Town Hall last Monday. 

Coroner Nigel Meadows said Mr Hart was unlawfully killed and there were failures to provide timely and appropriate medical advice.

In response to the inquest verdict, GMP's detective superintendent Phil Reade commended the family for their patience and bravery and vowed to continue the hunt for Mr Hart's attacker. 

He said: “Greater Manchester Police welcomes the verdict of Her Majesty's Coroner and would once again like to offer our most sincere condolences to Robert’s loved ones for their loss.

“HM Coroner Nigel Meadows today recorded a narrative conclusion that Robert was unlawfully killed by the man who attacked him at Parklife Festival, but that failure to provide timely and appropriate medical advice also contributed to his death.

“I would also like to commend his family for their patience and bravery during what I know has been a long and terribly traumatic process for them.

“However that process has not ended with the inquest verdict, and we remain utterly dedicated to identifying and tracking down the man responsible for this mindless attack.

“We are just as determined not only to find Robert's attacker, but also the people who seem intent on sheltering him from prosecution.

“The evidence in relation to his treatment at hospital has been known to detectives from very early on in the investigation, and it has in no way affected the determination of our officers to find the person responsible.

“We will continue to leave no stone unturned in this investigation and remain hopeful that we will be able to provide Robert’s family with the justice they deserve.”