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Parklife Festival death: Man arrested on suspicion of murder

A 31-year-old man is being questioned in custody following the death of 26-year-old Robert Hart

Antonia Molloy
Saturday 21 June 2014 14:26 BST
Parklife festival
Parklife festival (Parklife festival/Twitter/Gary Brown)

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a festival-goer was brutally attacked at the Parklife Weekender in Manchester.

Robert Hart, 26, was punched to the ground at the music event in Heaton Park last Saturday as he reportedly tried to protect his girlfriend from being hit by an inflatable toy during a Snoop Dog concert.

The altercation occurred at the front of the festival's main stage at about 9.15pm.

Avid Manchester City fan Mr Hart, from Macclesfield, Cheshire, was knocked unconscious and later died in hospital.

Police said the suspect was arrested in Cheshire today and is being questioned in custody.

Detective Inspector Richard Eales said: “Over the last two weeks, we have received a huge amount of support by both the public and the media for the appeal to help find the person responsible.

"We now have a man in custody but that doesn't mean the investigation is at an end. We are continuing to investigate and we are renewing our appeal for information or any relevant footage."

Robert Hart died in hospital
Robert Hart died in hospital (PA)

Anyone with information can contact the incident room direct on 0161 85 69283 or email the incident room on mit.syndicate8gmp.police.uk with any relevant footage.

In a tribute to Mr Hart, his family said he had "a love of music and a love of life" and was "simply awesome".

Additional reporting by Press Association

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