Police hunt gang of youths after ‘vulnerable’ father-of-three was beaten to death on his doorstep

Police have launched a murder investigation after a ‘vulnerable’ father-of-three who was ‘tormented and bullied for weeks’ was beaten to death on his doorstep. 

Glenn Smith, 47, was allegedly assaulted by a gang of youths who then fled and left him to die outside his home in the early hours of this morning.

Shocked neighbours today told how they heard ‘screaming and two loud bangs’ in Armley near Leeds, West Yorkshire at around 3.30am. 

Police and paramedics responded to reports of a man being attacked around half an hour later, but Mr Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Officers have cordoned off the street as they investigate the suspected murder.

His daughter Robyn-Jade Rhodes, 25, today alleged her father had been ‘attacked by a group of men on his doorstep.’

Detectives have launched a murder investigation following the death of Glenn Smith, who was allegedly assaulted by a group of youths in the early hours of this morning

‘I just want to say that I love him and will miss him more than anything,’ she said. ‘I’ll do him proud.’

The grandfather, who lived alone, was described as ‘vulnerable’ by a neighbour. 

The 26-year-old explained how Mr Smith had also recently been harassed by a group of 15 to 20 boys as young as eight, who threw bricks at him and smashed his window.

There is no suggestion this group was involved in his death. 

‘Around half three in the morning I heard screaming on the street and then two bangs,’ the neighbour said.  

She also claimed that for the last two or three weeks ‘there has been a gang of young boys who have been tormenting that man.’

‘Two weeks ago they smashed through his window, and last week they tried to throw a brick at him,’ she said.

‘I’ve called the police three times, the last one a week ago where they beat up a woman who was with him.’ 

Police were called to reports of a man being assaulted in Armley near Leeds, West Yorkshire, at 4am

Police were called to reports of a man being assaulted in Armley near Leeds, West Yorkshire, at 4am

‘Everyone could see he was being harassed and tormented. I feel horrible for the man. He didn’t deserve any of this.’

Speaking about the earlier bullying, she said: ‘There were about 15 to 20 lads, one looked like he was about eight years old and the oldest must have been about 15.

‘He was a vulnerable man and they targeted and bullied him because they could.

Referring to last night’s incident, she said: ‘Police have allowed this to happen – he didn’t deserve to die.’ 

‘After everything he’d been going through they should have protected him better.’

Another neighbour said she no longer ‘felt safe’ living on the street with her two young children.

The 32-year-old, who wished not to be named, said: ‘I don’t want to be here anymore – my kids keep waking up and seeing police and I don’t know what to say to them.

‘I don’t feel safe here – it’s been going on for too long.

Shocked neighbours today told how they heard 'screaming and two loud bangs' in Armley near Leeds, West Yorkshire at around 3.30am

Shocked neighbours today told how they heard ‘screaming and two loud bangs’ in Armley near Leeds, West Yorkshire at around 3.30am 

She said that groups ‘have been bullying this man for weeks and nothing’s been done and now he’s dead.’

‘My two kids are quite young and I couldn’t imagine them doing anything like this – it’s shocking,’ she added.

A murder probe has been launched by detectives, while a preliminary enquiry has suggested that the man was assaulted by a group of youths who fled the scene.

A large scene is currently in place around Whingate Avenue to undergo forensic examination and specialist searches.   

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Tony Nicholson said: ‘We are treating this man’s death as murder and are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances and identify those responsible.

‘Our enquiries are at a very early stage and we are very keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or saw the group of youths involved in the area or who has any information that could assist the investigation.

‘Officers will be remaining at the scene throughout the day and we are liaising with our colleagues on the local neighbourhood policing team who are working to reassure the community who will be understandably concerned as a result of this incident.’

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101 quoting crime reference 13200418973 or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat

Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.