Robert Hart's family issue emotional appeal

Robert Hart and E-fit

The family of Robert Hart have issued an appeal to the man responsible for the attack that led to the 26-year-old’s death.

Robert  died last week after he was brutally assaulted at the Parklife Weekender Festival in Heaton Park on Saturday 7 June, 2014.

Robert's family and girlfriend said: “We are here today to appeal directly to the person who has stolen Robert away from us, or to the people who know who this man is, and are protecting him with their silence.

“The terrible irony is that Robert would have been best at this.

“He was a friendly, outgoing man, able to put people at ease and make them smile.
“He was a joy to spend time with, a man who approached the world with a smile on his face and a kind word in his heart.

“The one word that every single one of us used when describing him, was ‘awesome’.
“He doted on his mum, his brother, sisters, nieces and nephews, and his family loved him in return.

“After spending so much time being a wonderful uncle, bouncing on the bed playing his guitar, making the kids laugh, it had become clear that he would have been a wonderful father.

“Both he and Gemma had spoken about soon having children, and now he has been robbed of the chance to have a family of his own.

“Not just that, but his friends, family and everyone who knew him have been robbed of a man who lit up their lives with his presence.

“No longer will we hear him singing ‘Blue Moon’ at the top of his voice, no longer will I get to talk to him about the music we loved together, the music that defined so much of our relationship as brothers.

“Robert loved music, and it is tragic that this love of music led him to a place where the cowardly act of one man has taken him away from us forever.

“Robert was fond of saying ‘What a day to be alive’ and one person’s actions means we will never hear those words again.

“Please, come forward. You know what you have done, or you know the person who has done this.
“Do not protect someone who has no right to be protected. Do the right thing, for Rob’s sake.”

The Parklife organisers have also expressed their shock and dismay following Robert's tragic death, and have appealed for anyone with information about the attack to come forward.

"We are absolutely devastated about the shocking incident that took place last weekend, and the loss of life that occurred," said a Parklife spokesman.

"All our thoughts remain with Robert Hart's family and friends, we can't even begin to process what they are currently going through.

"For Robert not to return home safe, happy and full of good memories after what should have been an amazing weekend with his friends and girlfriend is utterly tragic."
"We will continue to assist Greater Manchester Police with its investigation and urge anyone that may have witnessed the incident to contact the Police through any official channel available to them."

Anyone with information can contact the incident room direct on 0161 85 69283 or email the incident room on mit.syndicate8@gmp.police.uk with any relevant footage.

You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.