The family of Phillip Oake is demanding justice following his tragic and unlawful death
Worcester: Phillip Oake was out enjoying a night at the Crown pub on Broad Street when tragedy struck on June 9, 2023. He was just 54 years old.
As he was leaving, a man confronted him outside, leading to a brief scuffle. In just 15 seconds, things escalated, and Mr. Oake was pushed to the ground.
His daughter, Emily Handley, shared with Worcester News that her dad and his friend were just trying to head home when the man called them back and shoved him.
Unfortunately, Mr. Oake hit his head hard on the pavement. He suffered a fractured skull and severe bleeding in his brain. He was rushed to Worcestershire Royal Hospital and later transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for emergency surgery.
Sadly, despite all the medical efforts, he never recovered and passed away on July 1, 2023. A medical report confirmed that he died from complications related to his head injury.
The coroner, David Donald William Reid, ruled that Mr. Oake was unlawfully killed during the incident. However, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has decided not to pursue charges against the man involved.
They believe there isn’t enough evidence to prove that the suspect wasn’t acting in self-defense when he pushed Mr. Oake.
Emily Handley appealed this decision, but the CPS stood firm, saying they wouldn’t take the case to court.
She expressed her frustration, saying, “I’m really annoyed it’s not going to court. I think it deserved a chance for a jury to decide.”
Emily can’t wrap her head around how someone could claim self-defense when her dad was simply leaving the situation.
“My dad was my absolute world. He was my best friend, and it’s been so hard, especially the way he died,” she said, remembering him as a funny and loving father.
The coroner’s ruling was based on a lower standard of proof than what’s needed in criminal cases, where a jury must be sure of guilt before convicting someone.
A spokesperson for the CPS expressed their condolences to Mr. Oake’s family, stating they carefully reviewed the evidence but found no realistic chance of a conviction.
They also mentioned that if any new significant information comes to light, they would work with the police to reassess the situation.
