Dad killed with vodka bottle on Prague stag do in 'blind attack'

David with his partner Jola
-Credit: (Image: Jola Simms/Mirror)


Chilling new CCTV footage has been released detailing the events leading up to the fatal attack of a British dad in Prague. David 'Dai' Richards was savagely assaulted while on a stag do with his mates in the Czech capital.

The 31 year old was senselessly struck on the back of his skull with a vodka bottle, an attack that saw him crumpling to the pavement.

The father-of-three succumbed to his injuries and passed away at a local hospital last Saturday. His grief-stricken family have praised David as an 'absolutely amazing father, partner, son and brother'.

READ MORE:Baby grabbed from mum and carried down train in attempted 'child abduction'

READ MORE:Police statement after baby boy dies in 'squalid Stoke-on-Trent home'

The newly-disclosed video by Czech police reveals a confrontation between David's group and another set of men on Narodni Avenue. After what seems to be an intense verbal argument, the situation rapidly escalates into violence, as reported by the Mirror.

In the disturbing sequence, punches are thrown and David falls as he is hit in the head with an item. Due to the gravity of the situation, we've refrained from showing the footage.

Recounting the harrowing moment when they were informed of the tragedy, David's sister-in-law Tammy Sheehan, cousin Gemma Thomas, and his partner Jola Simms revealed: "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."

David's life-support machines were switched off on Saturday, September 21. The family stated: "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."

They also shared that a French passer-by provided first aid at the scene. David leaves behind his partner Jola and their three children, Aurora, four, Bear, two, and one year old Vienna.

A 26 year old man has been arrested in relation to the incident. Czech police released a statement saying the incident began when 'two groups of tourists who were in Prague for the weekend' met and 'talked normally' before a conflict started.

"The blow was so strong that the victim immediately fell to the ground and unfortunately died in the hospital", the force said.

Detectives reportedly acted swiftly as it was 'clear to them' that the attackers were tourists, and would likely leave Prague soon. The statement continued: "An extensive search was launched and after several hours they managed to track down the suspect and arrest him in front of the hotel in Prague, where he was staying."

"The 26-year-old man is now being prosecuted for the crimes of grievous bodily harm and disorderly conduct, where, if convicted, he faces up to sixteen years in prison because death was caused as a result."

Some relatives of David have remained in Prague as they await the issuance of his death certificate, and their experience with Czech officials has been described as 'abrupt' and 'blunt'. On a GoFundMe page, they shared: "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."

Sign up to our main daily newsletter here and get all the latest news straight to your inbox for FREE