Smileband General News

Two men and two women have been arrested on suspicion of murdering an 87-year-old who has died three weeks after being savagely beaten and robbed.

Widower Arthur 'Bob' Gumbley, who ran a successful heating and plumbing supplies company before retiring, was set upon in his own home on November 21. His gated property was broken into at around 8pm and repeatedly punched him in the face before kicking him as he lay helplessly on the floor, before making off with items including a purse belonging to his late wife.

Mr Gumbley succumbed to his injuries in hospital on Monday. When paramedics arrived at the scene in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, at 10pm to find the retired company director lying in a pool of blood.

He was taken to Good Hope Hospital were he was treated for severe bruising to his left eye, neck, chest, both hands and right arm.

Staffordshire Police released photographs of Mr Gumbley's injuries in a bid to catch the perpetrators.

Yesterday police confirmed Mr Gumbley died from his injuries on Monday (December 11) and officers had arrested four people on suspicion of murder.

Two men aged 42 and 34, and two women aged 33 and 29, who are all from Birmingham, are currently being quizzed by detectives. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Dan Ison, said: 'This was an horrific and despicable attack on a defenceless elderly man in his own home, which has now resulted in his untimely death and a murder investigation.

'He had been punched in the face and kicked while on the floor.

'He was taken by ambulance to Good Hope Hospital where he was initially treated for injuries to his chest, neck, arms and face.

'Despite being in good health prior to the attack, his condition deteriorated last week and he sadly passed away on Monday 11 December. 'The robbery is believed to have taken place between 7pm and 9pm, when thieves ransacked the house and stole items of jewellery and cash, as well as a purse that belonged to Arthur's late wife.

'Crimes of this nature cannot go unpunished, and I want to reassure Arthur's family that every effort is now being made to bring those responsible to justice.'

Speaking at a press conference after the attack, Mr Gumbley's daughter Sue said before he died: 'It's started to become real to him now, and he's said he's scared. 

'His question is, why did it happen to him? What did he do wrong? How do you tell somebody that? That he did nothing wrong? 

'To do that to an old person, to push them around and kick them and punch them, and cut them, it's really frightening. 'To see your dad, that you've looked up to all these years, sitting in a pool of blood is just awful.

'We've shown him a picture of himself and it's frightened him. He's a scared old man now, and he was a tall, upright person that people respected, he's worked hard all of his life.'