Father-of-five is 'punched to death' after closing time in bloody brawl at a pub in a leafy commuter belt village

  • Police were called to the George Inn, in village of Burnham, at 12.01am
  • A 48-year-old man - named locally as Dean Haverley - was treated at the scene but died in hospital
  • The area was sealed off by police today as officers investigate 

By Thomas Burrows for MailOnline

Published: 05:40 EST, 13 August 2016 | Updated: 10:42 EST, 13 August 2016

A murder probe has been launched after a father-of-five was beaten to death at a pub in a leafy commuter belt village.

Police were called to the George Inn, in the village of Burnham, shortly after midnight to reports a man had been attacked inside the pub.  

A 48-year-old man - named locally as Dean Haverley - was treated at the scene but died in hospital. 

Speaking to MailOnline, his older brother Craig said: 'He was my best friend and my little brother and I'm going to miss him big time'.

Dean Haverley, the youngest of eight siblings, was beaten to death in the George Inn pub

Dean Haverley, the youngest of eight siblings, was beaten to death in the George Inn pub

Mr Haverley was a father-of-five and was described by his brother as a 'brilliant father who doted over them'.

He said: 'He was a great dad and he absolutely loved all of them'. 

He added: 'He was an upbeat, funny guy, always laughing and he had my kids in stitches. The last time I saw him was about two or three days ago when he came round to mine and we watched some TV and had a few beers in my man cave.

'He was the youngest of eight siblings and we were very close and always together'.

Mr Haverley, 53, from Britwell, was not with his brother last night but revealed how he had visited the George Inn with his younger brother on Monday night. 

'It was a typical night in the pub. We had a couple of beers, played on the fruit machine and then left. It's a tiny pub and is a real community pub. Our friend is the landlord and he's very shaken up by what's happened.'

He added: 'I've already had hundreds of people round, which just shows what a great guy Dean was. People just can't believe what has happened.'   

Mr Haverley's son Dougie Mcclean wrote on Facebook: 'RIP Dad. Let's get this geezer caught.' 

Police were called to the George Inn, in the village of Burnham, shortly after midnight

Police were called to the George Inn, in the village of Burnham, shortly after midnight

The area was sealed off by police today as officers investigated.  No arrests have been made. 

Kalbinder 'Tony' Singh, who works at Sea World fish takeaway next-door told MailOnline: 'I closed up the shop at 10pm and then came back this morning to see police outside the pub so I knew something was wrong. The police said they couldn't tell me anything. 

'I am shocked, especially because for the last three to four years there has been no trouble in the village and the pub has been pretty quiet.'  

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Simon Steel of the Major Crime Unit, said: 'My appeal is to anyone who was in The George Inn public house around midnight who witnessed the assault or has any information regarding the incident to contact police immediately. 

'This is an isolated incident and we are conducting a thorough investigation to find out what happened inside public house last night.

'A scene watch will remain in place at the public house and there will be police activity in the area.'

Dean (left) with his older brother Craig, who described him as 'upbeat and a fantastic father'

Dean (left) with his older brother Craig, who described him as 'upbeat and a fantastic father'

Anyone with any information should call 101 and quote reference 1 (13/8). 

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: 'Police officers were called to The George Inn public house in High Street at 12.01am today to a report of a man having been assaulted inside that location.

'The victim, a 48-year-old local man, was treated at the scene but sadly later died in hospital. His next of kin has been informed.'  

Burnham is a leafy village between Slough and Maidenhead and a short train journey from Paddington, making it popular with commuters.

There are four pubs on Burnham's High Street, with two more on the adjacent Church Street and Britwell Road. The George Inn is the oldest pub in the High Street. 

Sports Director owner Mike Ashley was brought up in the village and his parents still live there in a modest bungalow.  

 

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