Phillip Ormerod, a 102-year-old great-grandfather who had been living independently despite dementia, has died nearly two weeks after suffering critical injuries during an alleged incident at a pub in Cwmbran, South Wales.
Mr Ormerod was taken to hospital after he reportedly fell from the stage at The Crow’s Nest pub shortly after 10.25pm on August 1.
Gwent Police said he remained in critical condition at Grange Hospital in nearby Llanfrechfa before his death.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Elderly Regular Was Allegedly Asking for Music to Be Lowered
According to witnesses, Mr Ormerod had wandered onto the pub’s stage while SuperHans, a local cover band performing rock, punk and indie songs, was playing.
The 102-year-old was reportedly attempting to ask the musicians to turn down the volume.
Witnesses allege that he was then pushed, causing him to fall backwards from the stage and land on the floor below.
One person who was at the pub claimed Mr Ormerod fell down three steps after allegedly being pushed.
Another witness gave a different account, saying he was pushed with enough force to clear the steps before landing on the floor.
The circumstances remain allegations and have not been established in court.
Family Says Dementia Had Made Life More Difficult
Mr Ormerod’s son Robert has spoken about his father’s final years, describing him as a familiar figure at the pub despite the difficulties associated with his dementia.
Robert said his father had been diagnosed with dementia around two or three years ago and that his eyesight had also deteriorated.
Nevertheless, he continued to walk to the pub two or three times a week.
“He could be difficult with having dementia,” Robert said, explaining that his father remained independent and enjoyed drinking beer.
The family had continued visiting him regularly, helping to clean his home and support him as he grew older.
A Life Spanning More Than a Century
Born during the reign of King George V, Mr Ormerod had lived through more than 100 years of social and cultural change.
His son said the family home had been his father’s residence since 1960 and that he himself had grown up there.
Robert recalled that his father worked as a toolmaker during the Second World War before joining the Merchant Navy.
He later became a design draughtsman before retiring.
Locals said Mr Ormerod had even celebrated his 100th birthday at The Crow’s Nest, where he had become a recognizable face over the years.
Pub’s Changing Character Recalled by Family
Robert said the pub had changed considerably since his childhood, describing it as increasingly popular with younger customers.
He remembered a time when The Crow’s Nest served as a traditional local pub that attracted people of different generations and was managed under stricter rules by its former landlord.
Despite those changes, his father continued to visit regularly and became something of a local character because of his age and long association with the venue.
Police Arrest Man Over Alleged Assault
Gwent Police initially launched an investigation after receiving a report of an assault at The Crow’s Nest.
Officers and Welsh Ambulance Service crews attended the pub, with Mr Ormerod subsequently transported to hospital.
A 56-year-old man from Llanelli was arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault, relating to causing grievous bodily harm.
He has since been released under investigation while police enquiries continue.
Following Mr Ormerod’s death, the investigation is continuing as officers establish exactly what happened inside the pub that night.
Police Urge Witnesses to Come Forward
Detective Chief Inspector Shelley Comley, the senior investigating officer, acknowledged the public interest surrounding the case but urged people to avoid speculation.
Police have asked anyone who was inside The Crow’s Nest between 10pm and 11pm on August 1 to contact investigators with any information that could assist the inquiry.
The pub has also shared the police appeal, asking anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.
Band Removes Social Media Pages
SuperHans, the cover band performing at the pub that evening, has since removed its Facebook and Instagram pages.
The group regularly performs at pubs and other venues across South Wales, covering rock, punk and indie music.
Police have not publicly established the band’s involvement in the alleged assault, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Family Hopes for Justice
Robert said his family is now dealing with the loss of a father and grandfather who had remained an active part of his community well into his second century.
“What happened is not nice,” he said, adding that the family hopes there will be “some justice.”
Police have meanwhile warned that inaccurate or speculative comments, particularly online, could affect both the grieving family and the ongoing criminal investigation.
