Murder Rocks Community
On Thursday March 12th, a Hereford teenager was brutally attacked in the underpass between Sainsbury’s and ALDI, writes Shae Courtney.
Daren Loader, 17, of Whitecross Road, Hereford, was beaten in the underpass and died on Friday morning at Hereford County Hospital from severe head injuries. Daren’s female friend, also 17, attempted to fend the attackers off and sustained a broken arm. West Mercia Police said that group of male and female friends were out together when an altercation broke out at approximately 10pm.
Two men aged 27 and 23 have since been arrested and are due to appear before the courts on July 6th. The murder has rocked the community prompting Herefordshire County Council to make a brief statement on the event: “Murders are just so rare here that we have all been left very shocked. Now is the time for all our diverse communities to stick together.” Superintendent Kevin Pucell said that more police officers would be deployed around the city to prevent any reprisal attacks occurring.
Now is the time for all our diverse communities to stick together.
Daren’s brother, Colin (19), said that his younger sibling was looking forward to joining the Army and “had his whole life ahead of him.” Daren’s mother, father and stepsister were too distraught to make a statement to the Press on Saturday, but his aunt, Sian Hughes, said: “Someone must have seen something.” and appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Up to fifty detectives, ‘house-to-house’ teams and forensic officers have been working on the case. The underpass is full of flowers, photo’s and notes in memory of Darren and tributes poured in to Darren’s Bebo page. One said: “Such a funny, caring boy taken away from us at the beginning of his life. Will be surely missed by many.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident should call West Merica Constabulary on 0300 333 3000
