Family pay tribute to “much-loved father, brother, grandfather and friend” after man convicted of his death jailed

“Dave was a strong, fit, hardworking man, who lived honestly and treated people with respect.”

These are the words from a family coming to terms with the death of their loved one as the person responsible for his death was jailed for 10 years at Leicester Crown Court today (Friday 22 May).

On Sunday 21 December 2025, David Darke, 66 - known as Dave to family and friends – was on a Christmas night out at a pub in Appleby Magna when he was punched by 37-year-old Nathan Gothard.

Dave fell to the ground and sustained a serious head injury. He was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham where he died on 27 December.

Following a trial at Leicester Crown Court earlier this month Gothard, of Church Street in Appleby Magna, was found guilty of manslaughter.

David Darke

Today Dave’s family spoke about how they have finally seen the person responsible for his death sentenced.

They said: “Our family has finally seen the person responsible for Dave’s death sentenced. Although the sentence shows some accountability, no sentence will ever truly reflect what has been taken from us.

“Gothard was a braggart whose local pub Dave’s colleagues visited after their works Christmas meal. Dave’s only ‘crime’ that night was stepping in the way of a thug intent on harassing the women and antagonising the men in the group.

“Dave was a much-loved father, brother, grandfather, and friend. He was a strong, fit, hardworking man who lived honestly and treated people with respect. He was an accomplished craftsman who could turn his hand to anything, and there was very little he could not fix or build. He had always worked hard and was looking forward to retirement and enjoying the next chapter of life with his family.

“What makes this even harder to accept is that it was completely avoidable. If Gothard had simply gone home when he was told to, Dave would still be here today.

“Instead, we have had to endure the unimaginable. We watched Dave’s life support being turned off and then sat through a trial with every painful detail of his final hours repeated in court. No family should ever have to experience that.

“Dave continued to help others. Through organ donation, at least four people have been given a chance of life. That says everything about the kind of man he was — even in death, he gave to others.

“We would like to thank Senior Investigating Officer Kev Hames and his team at Leicestershire Police, our barrister, the staff at the QMC Hospital, and our wider family and friends for the support they have given us throughout this terrible time.

“Nothing will ever bring Dave back. Our family has been changed forever, and we will carry this loss for the rest of our lives.”

Detective Inspector Kevin Hames, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) Murder Investigation Team, said: “Dave’s family’s words are humbling to read. They have shown immense courage throughout the last five months.

“Gothard had every opportunity to walk away but he chose to remain outside the pub and his actions that day have devastated a family.

“They will now need to navigate their lives without their loved one. On behalf of the team, I would like to thank them for their courage and understanding.”

Further details about the case can be found here.

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Leicestershire Police News - Published: 15:51 22/05/2026