15-year-old boy on trial for pensioner's death in Leicester

An 80-year-old man named Bhim Kohli died after an incident in a park near Leicester last year. On September 1, Kohli was injured following a confrontation with a 15-year-old boy. The boy, dressed in a balaclava, told the court that he slapped Kohli in the face out of “instinct” after the elderly man grabbed his shoe. The court heard that Kohli was racially abused before being punched and kicked while on the ground. A 13-year-old girl filmed part of the attack and laughed. Kohli had been walking his dog near his home when he fell and sustained serious injuries. He passed away a day later in the hospital. The 15-year-old boy is on trial for murder but denies the charge. He also faces an alternative charge of manslaughter. The girl is also charged with manslaughter, but their identities are kept private because they are minors. During his testimony, the boy acknowledged having anger issues but insisted he did not intend to hurt Kohli. The boy described the moments leading to the confrontation. He said he approached Kohli after a friend suggested he may be carrying a knife. When Kohli did not respond, the boy claimed he grabbed his slider shoe back, which led to a tussle. Kohli fell to his knees during the struggle. The boy admitted to hitting Kohli, but stated it was not planned. He expressed regret about his actions and stated he was upset to have hurt the elderly man. The trial is ongoing, with the boy sharing details of the incident and his feelings afterward.