Robert Hart: Mum of man who died at Parklife issues appeal

Robert Hart, from Macclesfield, died in hospital after being punched by an unknown man at the Heaton Park festival 10 years ago. 

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are offering a £50,000 reward for information that leads to charge and conviction, and the force has set up a major incident public portal for members of the public to upload photos and video.

Shortly after 9pm on Saturday, June 7, 2014, Robert and his girlfriend were stood in front of the main stage following a set by Rudimental, and just before rapper Snoop Dogg was set to take to the stage. 

Robert Hart, 26, died after being punched at Parklife in 2019 (Image: GMP)

Robert and his girlfriend Gemma were stood about halfway back from the stage and the sound tent would have been to their left-hand side.

A blow up doll was being passed about above the crowd and this hit Gemma in the face and she was covered in dirt.

Police say an altercation broke out which resulted in Robert being punched and losing consciousness.

CPR was performed on Robert and he did regain consciousness and he was helped to his feet and assisted away from where the attack happened.

The injuries which he sustained as a result of this attack were far worse than first anticipated and as such he died on June 11 in hospital.

It is believed that the person responsible for this attack then left the area and may not have realised at the time the fatal impact that his actions had.

Robert’s attacker, who has never been identified, is described as mixed race, in his mid-20s, around 6ft to 6'2 tall, with a muscular build with short, dark hair which was shaved at the sides.

Police have released a picture of the area where it is thought Robert was attacked.

Police believe Robert was attacked in this area of the festival, near the main stage (Image: GMP)

He may have been with several people and it is believed he was with an unknown woman. She has been described as white, in her mid-20s with blonde, shoulder-length hair, around 5ft 7ins tall and possibly wearing a pink T-shirt.

Robert's mum, Elaine, has now issued a fresh appeal, calling on anyone who may know the identity of her son's attacker to come forward.

She said: “I look at Robert’s photograph every morning and kiss him good morning, and I look at Robert’s photograph every night.

“I just exist. I have my three children and my grandchildren who help me enormously, but the loss of Robert and the unnecessary killing of Robert, that will stay with me and I will never ever be able to understand or come to terms with it.

“I’ve asked over the years - why? Why did you just not apologise? Why were you so aggressive and punched Robert so hard that you knocked him unconscious?

“Ten years on, people’s loyalties and relationships change. For justice, if you know of this attacker, if you know his name, get in touch with Greater Manchester Police and hopefully there will be a closure.

Police have asked the public to come forward with any information that could lead to Robert's attacker (Image: GMP)

“Robert went to Parklife to enjoy music – he had a love of music and enjoyed festivals. He went there to enjoy himself, he never returned, and he now lies in Macclesfield Cemetery.

“Robert was a devoted and adored son, brother and uncle and he was a true gentlemen and friend.”

Detective Inspector Madeline Kelly, from GMP’s Major Crime Review Unit, said: “Even though this terrible incident was almost 10 years ago, it will still be fresh in the minds of many people, especially Robert’s family and people who were at Parklife.

“Despite the passing of time, the heartache felt by Robert’s family has not faded.

"Just as we were in 2014, we are determined to catch the person responsible which is why we are appealing for the assistance of the public.

“We are appealing for people to dig deep into their consciences – if you were one of the people involved on the day we would urge you to come forward.

“No-one went to the festival that weekend with thoughts of violence.

"Allegiances and friendships will have changed - so if anyone has any information they can report it to police, particularly if they feel they could not before.

“We are hopeful that the passage of time may mean that those who didn’t feel comfortable coming forward in 2014 may now feel brave enough to do so. If you witnessed the attack, or if someone confided in you since about what happened we want to hear for you.

“There were other assaults at the festival over the weekend so some members of the public might think that this case is solved, this is not the situation at all.

"It is an unsolved, ongoing investigation and we still need the public’s help.

"Someone out there will know who was involved and I am appealing directly to them today to do the right thing.

"If you were involved on the day we would urge you to come forward.

“I am also asking for people who may have been stood in the crowd, near to where I described to share their photos and videos. people who were around the main stage at around 9pm just after Rudimental had finished their set and before Snoop Dogg was due on.

“Perhaps you remember seeing a crowd gathering around Robert as CPR was performed on him?

"A witness describes some of the crowd clapping and cheering, as Robert was being helped to his feet? Do you remember seeing or hearing this?

"We are also asking for people at Parklife on Saturday, June 7 2014 to share their photos and videos with us – especially people who were around the main stage at around 9pm just after Rudimental had finished their set and before Snoop Dogg was due on.

“Robert’s family have had to live without answers for 10 years now, and we need the person responsible or anyone who knows him, to come forward and give us information. No detail is too small."

Investigators' have set up a Major Incident Public Portal – photos and videos can be uploaded via https://mipp.police.uk/operation/0601020114A08-PO1 or using the QR code.

Information can also be sent via a dedicated email address HelpBobby@gmp.police.uk. If someone does not feel comfortable to make direct contact with the police, we would encourage them to contact us via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.