THE family of a 23-year-old who was tragically killed as he tried to break up a fight in Chingford have made an emotional appeal to the public on the first anniversary of his death.

David Joslin was punched to the ground as he tried to calm a dispute between two groups of men and women outside Strictly Silver Jewellery shop, in Old Church Road, at around 1.30am on Sunday December 20 last year.

He was rushed to hospital but the injuries to his head were so bad he died eight days later.

Police are to return to the scene to target Christmas partygoers in Chingford in the hope that some who may have witnessed what happened will be back again this year.

Meanwhile David's parents, Phil and Margaret Joslin, of Kimberley Road, Chingford, are preparing to face their first Christmas without their beloved son.

In an emotional joint statement, they said: “Someone knows who did this. We beg you to come forward.

"David's death has left our family scarred and with a huge hole in it. We had to sit and watch David die at the National Neurology Hospital in a drug induced coma for seven days last Christmas. He finally lost his fight for his life the day after Boxing Day.

"The last time we saw David alive and spoke to him was on the evening of December 18 at our son Andrew's birthday celebrations. We all spent a pleasant evening together celebrating and looking forward to a happy Christmas. How wrong we were.

“Our two children Andrew, 20, and Lauren, 18, had to witness all that went on over those seven days, and what has happened since - they have been left severely traumatised.

"This year we have to celebrate Andrew's 21st birthday knowing it is also the anniversary of the last time we all saw David alive. We currently cannot see how we are ever going to have any sort of family celebration again now that David has gone, especially at Christmas.

"To think that the person that perpetrated this act is still at large and can go out and get drunk and do this again is a truly awful feeling. The last year has been a living nightmare and I would hate to think that another family may have to go through this.

“Please, anyone who may have any information that is relevant to this case, can they please come forward so that we can have some justice for our wonderful son David and the rest of our family."

Lead investigator, detective inspector Steve McCabe, said: "David was a decent young man and an innocent person.

"The investigation remains very much open. I urge anyone who was there on the night or has information about what happened and has not previously come forward to do so now.”

It is believed six men and two women were in the dispute with three men and a woman who had come from the nearby Obelisk pub when David intervened.

Three people were arrested shortly after David's death but all were later released.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the incident room on 020 8345 3985 or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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