British dad, 31, 'killed on Prague stag do in vodka bottle attack'

David Richards died in Prague
-Credit: (Image: Gemma Thomas)


A dad-of-three died after being attacked on a stag do in Prague. David 'Dai' Richards was allegedly struck once to the back of his head with a vodka bottle in what his family say was a 'blind attack'.

The 31-year-old was on a trip with friends in the Czech Republic when he was fatally wounded. He died in hospital in the city on Saturday, September 21.

His heartbroken family paid tribute to the 'amazing' dad, describing him as the 'glue of the family'. They were told Mr Richards' provisional cause of death was blunt force trauma.

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He was partner to Jola Simms and dad to Aurora, four, Bear, two, and one-year-old Vienna. He had returned from a family holiday on Thursday, September 19.

The dad - from Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf - headed to Prague the next day for the stag do of a close friend, WalesOnline reports. Speaking on behalf of the family, his sister-in-law Tammy Sheehan, cousin Gemma Thomas, and partner Miss Simms said: "He left the house at 5am and it was by 10pm that night our time Gemma and Jola had a phone call from [Mr Richards' friend] Nathan to say there was an incident and the whole family needed to get a flight as soon as possible as he was critical."

The family said life-support machines were switched off on Saturday, September 21. The family 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.

Some of Mr Richards' family have stayed in Prague while they wait for the death certificate. They said: "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." A GoFundMe page was launched in the wake of his death.

The family said: "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."

A statement from AFC Abercynon, where Mr Richards was a player, said: "On behalf of everyone at AFC Abercynon we send our deepest condolences to the Richards family. The world has lost a good man – a father, a son, and a brother.

"This is a loss for all of us but the grief and sorrow you as a family must feel are the deepest and most poignant and personal. As mark of respect to all involved our game [on Saturday] was postponed.

"Dai touched the lives of many involved at our club and we are devastated at this terrible loss. As a club we are here for any support you need and we are all thinking of you at this sad time. Rest in peace Dai."

A Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office spokesman said: "We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in the Czech Republic." Local media in the Czech Republic reported that a 26-year-old man, who was a tourist but whose nationality was been disclosed, was arrested outside a hotel following the incident.

Prague Morning reported that police spokesman Jan Daněk said the men were part of separate groups who had been talking but an argument was thought to have broken out. According to Prague Morning he said: "One individual struck another in the head with a vodka bottle.

"The impact was so severe 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." See the fundraiser here.