THE distraught parents of murdered David Joslin have paid tribute to their son and described how their Christmas holiday has been the “worst week of their lives”.
David Joslin, 23, of Alpha Road, Chingford, was knocked unconscious while trying to stop a fight in Old Church Road, on December 19.
He died on Sunday morning, leaving his parents Phil and Margaret, of Kimberley Road, Chingford, his 20-year-old brother Andrew and sister Lauren, 17.
Phil Joslin today described how David's injuries were initially thought not to be serious.
He said: “Whipps Cross phoned and said he was drunk.
“But then he had a CT scan and it was clear there was a problem, he was put into a drug-induced coma and transferred to the National Hospital for Neurology.”
David's condition did not improve and he had an operation which involved the removal of part of his skull.
Mr Joslin said: “The staff were absolutely wonderful, they did not give us any false hopes or make any promises, they said that even if he wakes up he might not recognise us and that there is an awfully long road to recovery.
“But all we wanted was David back, we did not care how.”
But on Christmas Day David's condition deteriorated as he had a kidney infection, and on Sunday he had a cardiac arrest.
His family raced to the hospital, but by the time he arrived he was dead.
Mr Joslin said: “My first thought was that I would never see David again, we did see him lying there but it was not the way we want to remember him.”
Mrs Joslin said the family's Christmas turkey has remained in the freezer.
She said: “It has been a dreadful week, the worst of our lives.”
David was a former pupil of St Mary's Catholic School, in Chingford, and Trinity High School, in Woodford.
He was a keen cricketer, playing for Chingford Cricket Club, and was a previously a member of Epping Forest Swimming Club as well as playing junior football for Buckhurst Hill.
He was a fan of Arsenal football club, and liked pop music.
Mr Joslin said: “David was a fun-loving boy, he did not take things too seriously.
“He loved to have a chat and he always wanted to be around people.”
Flowers have been left at the scene of the attack on David, and tributes have been posted on the Guardian's website and on Facebook.
Mr Joslin said: “All the tributes have been wonderful and have helped, I would like to thank everybody, and the staff at the National Hospital.”
The family say they will let people know about the funeral arrangements at a later date.
THREE people have been arrested in connection with David's killing.
Two men and a woman last night handed themselves in to police and are currently being questioned.
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