Thugs who beat football fan 'DIY SOS star' so badly he was left permanently brain damaged could face FRESH charges after police confirm his death five years later WAS linked to brutal attack

Detectives investigating the death of a brain-damaged football fan are looking to bring fresh charges against his attackers after a post-mortem examination showed a link between a random attack on him and his passing five years later.  

Cambridge United supporter Simon Dobbin, from Mildenhall, Suffolk, was beaten and 'kicked like a football' by hooligans after going to watch Cambridge draw against Southend in an unprovoked attack. 

Father-of-three Mr Dobbin, who served in the RAF, suffered permanent brain damage and was left unable to walk or talk following the horrifying assault in March 2015. 

13 men were convicted for their role in the attack at Basildon Crown Court in 2017, but his wife Nicole revealed that all of the 'monsters' are already back on the streets. 

He died in October last year aged 48, after his story touched the nation while appearing on BBC DIY SOS and having his house adapted by Nick Knowles and a team of 900 volunteers.  

Essex Police said on Wednesday that a post-mortem examination has identified a 'causal link' between the attack and Mr Dobbin's death - meaning stricter punishments could now be handed out to his attackers.

Pictured: The thugs who could face fresh charges after a post-mortem found a 'causal link' between an attack on Cambridge United fan Simon Dobbin and his death five years later. From left to right: Ryan Carter, 21, of Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Jamie Chambers, 24, of Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Lewis Courtnell, 34, of Southend-on-Sea, Essex

The group were sentenced to the following in 2017. Left to right: Three-and-a-half years for Scott Nicholls, 40, of Basildon, Essex. Three-and-a-half years for Matthew Petchey, 26, of Rochford, Essex. Sixteen months for Rhys Pullen, 21, of Wickford, Essex

Left to right: Five years for Thomas Randall, 22, of of Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Five years for Alexander Woods, 25, of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. Three years for James Woods, 25, of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex

Left to right: Three years for Greg Allen, 29, of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. Three years for Phil McGill, 32, of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. Two-and-half-years for Michael Shawyer, 31, of Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

The grievous bodily harm case that lead to an unprecedented murder conviction after the victim died three years later

In 2014, Adam Cross, 35, was charged with murder three years after carrying out an attack on his victim Joseph Starzacher

It would not be the first time police have sought to bring charges in a case where a person has died years after an assault.

In 2014, Adam Cross, 35, was charged with murder three years after carrying out an attack on his victim Joseph Starzacher.

Mr Cross was originally jailed for grievous bodily harm after he violently set on Mr Starzacher in a takeaway in Salisbury, Wiltshire, in 2007.

Mr Starzacher remained alive - though in a vegetative state - until succumbing to pneumonia in 2010

Mr Starzacher remained alive - though in a vegetative state - until succumbing to pneumonia, caused by his immobility, in 2010.

Medical experts concluded that the 37-year-old's death was linked to the head injury Cross caused. 

In a then unprecedented move, Cross was charged with murder.

He was found guilty and handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 14 years.

Mr Dobbin was on his way home from watching Cambridge play Southend when rival supporters poured out of a nearby pub, The Railway Tavern, and 'jumped' a group of Cambridge fans.

One witness, speaking after the attack, said the rival fans 'just used Mr like a football', and said he was saved by a friend who laid on top of him.

Mr Dobbin suffered brain damage, damaged hips, broken ribs and a broken nose during the onslaught on and spent more than three weeks on life support. 

His wife, Nicole, slammed the violent thugs in an interview in 2020. 

She said: 'Every time I look at Simon, I can see the damage they caused him.

'They are monsters. They didn't give any consideration to what they were doing.'   

Because of the horrific injuries he suffered in the savage attack, Mr Dobbin was never able to hug his wife or his daughter Emily, or even tell them he loved them. 

Mrs Dobbin said she intends to 'hold on' to the memories of those moments with her beloved husband. 

She said she has kept a recording of his voice on the phone from five years ago.

After reopening their investigation, Essex Police detectives are working to see whether they can 'directly and evidentially show who was responsible for his death'.  

Judge David Pugh convicted thirteen men in 2017 over their involvement in the attack, and 12 of them were handed jail terms totalling more than 42 years. 

Three of the men were jailed for five years - the maximum possible sentence for the offence of committing violent disorder - with sentences of varying lengths for the others. 

The shortest sentence - 16 months - was given to Rhys Pullen, who admitted the charge of violent disorder earlier in proceedings.

A thirteenth man, Ian Young, was found guilty of assisting offenders by hiding them. He was given a suspended sentence a month after the other sentencings.

Mrs Dobbin demanded a 'Simon's Law' to give tougher sentences to serious thugs in light of her husband's attack.

Describing her proposed changes 'Simon's Law', she wrote on a petition page: 'How can someone be clinically dead for seven minutes and this be a violent public disorder? 

Cambridge United supporter Simon Dobbin , from Mildenhall, Suffolk, was beaten and 'kicked like a football' by hooligans after going to watch Cambridge draw against Southend in an unprovoked attack in March 2015

Mr Dobbin is pictured with his daughter Emily and wife Nicole at Cambridge United FC

His story touched the nation after a team of 900 volunteers came forward to help with the adaptation of his home in Peterhouse Close, Mildenhall with Nick Knowles on DIY SOS

'The law needs to changed around these cases and a higher sentence given. I want the government to put Simon's Law into place. 

'Simon's law will state that If an individual is charged and found guilty of a violent public disorder, causing harm to any other, then a percentage of earnings through employment or benefits, are taken from them and paid back to our NHS for the rest of their lives.'

Acting Detective Superintendent Stephen Jennings, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: 'We have received the final report following the post-mortem examination and it shows pathologically there was a causal link between the assault Simon was subjected to, and his death. 

Mr Dobbin is pictured with Cambridge fans at Southend United's Roots Hall in 2015

Mrs Dobbin thanks the DIY SOS team for their work during the episode in January 2019

Mr Dobbin is pictured in hospital on DIY SOS in January 2019 after he was left brain damaged 

Sympathy: The TV host paid tribute to the father-of-three with a touching post on Twitter

'We will now carry out an investigation to see if we can directly and evidentially show who was responsible for his death.

'I know Simon's story has touched the lives of many people and we are supporting his family.

'My thoughts are with his friends and loved ones.'

Before: Simon could not get out into the garden with his family because of access problems

After: Large glass doors were added and the garden was modernised to the family can get out and enjoy the space

Mr Dobbin's ordeal touched the nation when his house was transformed by a team led by Nick Knowles on the BBC programme DIY SOS: The Big Build in January 2019.

The episode saw an army of volunteers help to turn his home into one more suitable for his needs, after he was left requiring round-the-clock care following the assault.

Mr Dobbin's home was transformed by a team from DIY SOS, led by Nick Knowles, who provided the father with his own bedroom for the first time in three years.  

More than 900 volunteers came forward to help transform the home, where Simon was sleeping in the living room and only had access to bed baths.

Paying tribute to Simon on Twitter after his death, Knowles wrote: 'Very sad news. His family put everything aside to care for him. Our sympathies are with them.'