Robert Hart: Police launch fresh appeal after fatal attack at Parklife

Robert Hart, from Macclesfield, died in hospital after the attack from an unknown man at the Heaton Park event, which happened on Saturday, June 7, 2014. 

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

An emotional appeal by Robert's family was issued in June for the 10th anniversary of the horrific incident, and the case has now been covered by BBC show Crimewatch.

Shortly after 9pm on the night of the attack, Robert and his girlfriend Gemma Parry were stood in the crowd waiting in front of the main stage following a set by Rudimental, and just before rapper Snoop Dogg was set to perform.

The highlighted area was where Robert and Gemma were stood in when the incident took place (Image: GMP) Speaking on Crimewatch, Gemma said: “There was an inflatable doll. It got chucked over once and then chucked back over.

“The second time, it hit me and covered me in mud and that’s when Rob turned around.

“He said he didn’t want any trouble and that’s when it turned into a scuffle. I was trying to get Rob away and I got knocked over.

“And then it was only within seconds that he came down next to me.”

Read more: Mum of man who died at Parklife issues appeal

Robert initially lost consciousness but he was given CPR and he came round and managed to make his way to the medical tent where he was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

But Robert’s condition quickly deteriorated, and he was put into an induced coma.

He suffered a bleed on the brain and died four days later in hospital on June 11, 2014.

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 and short, dark hair, which was shaved at the sides.

The suspect 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 5'7 tall and possibly wearing a pink t-shirt.

Read more: Mum and police issue appeal over Parklife 2014 death

GMP Detective Sergeant Clare Smith said: “They were waiting for Snoop Dogg to come on.

“There was an inflatable doll that was being thrown around the crowd and as it got thrown over them, it hit Robert's girlfriend Gemma, which covered her in mud.

"Robert turned around and spoke to the person who had thrown it, he just went to his girlfriend's defence really. This led to a bit of an altercation.

"A punch was thrown, and Robert was hit. He fell to the ground and lost consciousness.

"He was given CPR at the scene, and he did come round, and he was able to make his way to the medical tent.

“From there he got an ambulance to the hospital. Unfortunately, a few days later, he died.

“One punch hits can genuinely take lives, and it is a very tragic case.

“The person responsible may well not have been aware of the fatal impact that his actions had because he left the scene immediately afterwards.”

Read more: CCTV appeal after car 'completely destroyed' in arson attack

Police are hoping that due to the passage of time, those who may not have felt comfortable coming forward with information in 2014 may now feel brave enough to do so.

Also, if anyone was filming or taking photographs in the area Robert was standing and they think they may have captured something, police would also like to hear from them.

Robert’s mum, Elaine Hart, said: “We’ve still not come to terms with it that Robert won’t come walking through the door with his jokes and with his warmth and his laughter.

“He made everybody smile, he was a lovely, lovely boy.”

Information can be sent via a dedicated email address HelpBobby@gmp.police.uk. If someone does not feel comfortable to make direct contact with the police, GMP encourages them to contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.