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TRAGEDY: David Grainger died after apparently trying to stop a fight outside the Grosvenor pub
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‘We feel lost, alone and heartbroken’
Adam Derbyshire30/ 1/2008
THE heartbroken parents of a 32-year-old man who died after an attack outside a pub in Stalybridge have said he will be "missed until the end of time".
David Grainger, of Princess Street, Ashton died from serious head injuries on Saturday.
Police were called to Grosvenor Street at 10.45pm following reports of a fight outside the Grosvenor pub.
When officers arrived, David was found on the floor with injuries to his head and he was taken to Tameside Hospital, where he later died.
David’s parents Mavis and Paul said: "David had supported Manchester United since being a youngster and he went to matches both home and abroad.
"He was happy spending time with his good mates and enjoyed music and socialising. He was thoughtful and would help anyone out.
"David was our only child and he will be loved and missed until the end of time. We feel heartbroken, lost and alone."
Three men, aged 37, 18 and 24, who were arrested on suspicion of murder, have now been bailed until 13 March pending further inquiries.
A 32-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of an assault at the scene before David was injured was questioned and released on bail.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Tameside CID on 856 9256 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
TRIBUTES have poured in from devastated friends of David Grainger who are trying to come to terms with his death.
Pals have set up memorial groups to him on popular social networking website Facebook and already hundreds have joined to pay their respects.
He was a familiar face in the Witchwood and the Station pub in Ashton.
David, a British Gas manager, had gone to the Grosvenor pub on Saturday night to see a friend who had started working behind the bar.
Darren Harding, 41, said: "He was my best mate, we used to go and watch United all over Europe. He was a big lad with a personality to match. It’s left a massive hole in our lives."
Jodie Cullen, 29, of Stalybridge, said: "I met him in 1995 at Tameside College. I can’t believe he’s gone, I’ll miss his hugs more than anything."
Joan Swift, 29, of Princess Street, Ashton said: "No one he met had a bad word to say about him. We used to nickname him Big Dave or Grave Danger. As the news filtered through on Sunday, 150 of us ended up at the Witchwood — it just shows how much he meant to so many people.
"He was like a big brother. If you ever had a problem he’d always be there to give advice or lend a friendly ear."
Mark Doyle, assistant manager at the Witchwood, added: "He was one of those people that lit up the room. He always steered clear of trouble, I don’t think he’d ever been in a fight in his life. Dave was one of the good guys and it’s such a shame because in this day and age we need all the good guys we can get."
Landlady Fallon Newton described how violence erupted in her pub moments before David Grainger was killed outside.
The 22-year-old, who only became the licensee at the Grosvenor on Wednesday, said fighting broke out after a 15-strong mob burst in wielding bottles and glasses.
Windows were smashed as regulars including David attempted to shepherd the gang outside and calm matters.
Fallon said: "We were dialling 999 and begging police to come quickly but they must have taken about quarter-of-an-hour.
"Someone ran in and asked for an ambulance. They said David was on the floor and he was in a bad way. He was put in the recovery position before paramedics arrived and began working on him."
The pub was sealed off over the weekend as forensic teams combed the area for clues, but it is believed the incident was captured on CCTV.
Click here to pay your tributes to David in our special online book of condolence
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31/01/2008 at 10:31
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