Tributes to 'selfless and generous' pub assault dad

A man who died following an assault in a pub "was everything you'd want a dad to be", his sons have said.

Police said Paul Hughes, 59, was attacked inside The Old Bank, in St Giles' Square, Northampton, between 01:45 and 02:30 BST on Sunday.

His two adult sons, Ieuan and Iestyn, their mother, Samantha, and the rest of his family were with him when he died in hospital on Monday.

"Our dad had a massive heart. His love and care knew no limits, and he was fiercely loyal to those he called friends or family," his sons said.

"He was selfless and generous, and even after his death, he continued giving by donating his kidneys and liver to change the lives of people he would never get to meet."

Their father was a proud Welshman who played many rugby games for Northampton Casuals and Northampton Mens Own, as well as being "ridiculously good at roller skating," the family said.

"He was everything you'd want a dad to be. He adored us and always actively supported and enabled us in whatever we did," the brothers said.

"Whether it was the early Sunday morning drives to sports team training or spoiling us on birthdays or taking us on adventures, he was always our biggest supporter."

They talked about a lifetime of memories, from cooking delicious foods to his love of a pub quiz.

"His Mastermind specialist subject would have been all about Bigfoot… or maybe Manchester United," the brothers added.

Ieuan and Iestyn said it had been both a source of comfort and heart-breaking to see how many people loved their father.

Louie Oliver, 22, of Holcot Lane, Sywell, appeared at Northampton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, charged with Hughes' murder.

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