A singer who raised thousands for the NHS during the Covid pandemic has been killed during an attack in a pub over the Bank Holiday weekend.
‘Local hero’ Robert Hiscoe, 37, was rushed to hospital after being seriously assaulted at The Butterbowl pub in Farnley, Leeds, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Despite the best efforts of medics to save him, he died in hospital as a result of his injuries.
Robert was a talented singer who had previously performed at the pub where he was murdered, and used his music to raise funds for the NHS during lockdown.
Tributes have since flooded in for the ‘wonderful father and devoted husband’ following news of his death.
One post shared in a Leeds United Facebook group which Robert was a member of, said: ‘29,000 members, but lost one, today we lost a friend, one of the biggest Leeds fans I’ve ever known. Raised thousands for the NHS in lockdown and sang his heart out wherever he went.’
‘Words can not possibly express what you mean to this club, your friends and family. We will love and remember you forever.’
Jordan Webb wrote: ‘Always there to support others. Such a sad day for everyone who knew you Rip Robert Hiscoe.’
Paul Wilson said: ‘I don’t know where to begin, a talented singer, a great friend, a wonderful father, a devoted husband and one of the most loyal Leeds United fans i’ve ever met, not to mention an incredible drinking partner… Not many people I know will ever be loved so thoroughly as you, light up any room with your charming ways and never put anyone down, for anything.’
‘Thank you for bringing so much happiness and joy to so many people during lockdown and raising a shedload of money, ironically for the NHS. Nobody i know would ever have done that, give up night after night, week after week, of your time to keep people in good spirits, you should be knighted, not gone.’
Posting on the New Farnley Cricket Club Facebook page, friend Noel Bullock said everyone there was ‘deeply saddened and devastated’ by the news.
He posted: ‘Rob was a local hero and very popular character around New Farnley and the wider Leeds community, fondly remembered during lockdown for entertaining everyone “Vera Lynn” style with his nightly singing shows that lasted well into the early hours of the morning until the bottle of gin was no more, raising thousands of pounds for the NHS.
‘Rob sung many times at the club, brightening up parties and celebrations with his wonderful voice making the events special and memorable, he also brightened up many living and dining rooms, hallway, stairs, landings, bedrooms and kitchens with his wonderful decorating skills,’ he added.
West Yorkshire Police said in a statement: ‘Detectives investigating a serious assault at a pub on Butterbowl Drive, Leeds on May 5 have charged a man with murder.
‘Nathaniel Philip, 35 of no fixed abode has been charged with murder after the assault in the early hours of Sunday morning.
‘He is due to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court on May 7.’
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