A 87-year-old great-grandmother was “killed for her kindness” after getting punched while attempting to break up a “race row”.
Dorthy Chiles suffered a broken hip and other injuries during the attack in a Pret a Manger in Birmingham New Street, after died from her injuries six weeks later.
Although the incident happened in November 2024, it only came to public attention after the British Transport Police revealed this week that the woman had died as a result of an “act of senseless violence”.
The attack happened after two women bumped into each other, with a white woman then making a racist remark towards the other woman who was black, the Daily Mail reports.
When Chiles attempted to step in to diffuse the situation and calm her down, the woman puched her to the floor
BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE
As other people got involved, reportedly defending the woman who had been the victim of the racist words, the perpetrator got increasingly agitated.
When Chiles attempted to step in to diffuse the situation and calm her down, the woman punched her to the floor.
A witness said: “The older lady had approached the much younger white woman who was shouting and screaming at staff and customers in Pret. The woman was clearly very agitated and getting worse.
“She was shouting things about how she was autistic and saying that people were picking on her.
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“As the older lady got closer to try and console her, the younger woman without warning spun around and knocked her backwards onto the floor.”
The witness explained that people rushed to help the elderly woman and paramedics arrived to take her to hospital.
“I'm so so sad to learn that she has died. She was just trying to do the right thing and calm this woman down. It's an awful outcome,” he added.
Authorities have said a woman in her 20s was initially arrested on suspicion of GBH, and later held on suspicion of manslaughter but released on conditional bail pending further inquiries.
Chiles's cause of death remains under investigation.
In a statement released by BTP, the woman’s family called the “adored” mum, grandmother and great-grandmother the “heart and soul” of their family.
“Tragically, Dorothy was attacked in an act of senseless violence, and though she fought with the same strength she carried through life, her injuries proved too severe,” they added.
“She passed away soon after, leaving behind our family utterly devastated by the loss of our beloved matriarch.”
Dorthy Chiles suffered a broken hip and other injuries during the attack in a Pret a Manger
GettyOfficers are still looking to speak with a man who witnessed the incident, described as a tall, white man in his early 30s, with a short goatee-style beard.
Police have said he was wearing a brown knitted beanie hat, black framed glasses, a black double-breasted wool peacoat, beige chino trousers, dark grey gloves, light grey scarf, black shoes and black rucksack.
Detective Inspector Ian Wright said: “This is a particularly shocking incident and I'd like to express our sincere condolences to Dorothy's family who are being supported by officers, and ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.”
“The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and I would continue to urge anyone who witnessed the incident, including the man mentioned, to come forward and assist our inquiries. Anyone with information is urged to contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040 or text 61016 quoting 243 of November 19.”
