Teenager died from single blow after he stepped in to protect a woman

Dominic Barritt was enjoying a night out with friends in Walton-on-Naze, Essex, when he was attacked. He died two days later.

His grandmother Carol today said Dominic was killed protecting a woman and that his dying wish was to donate his organs to help others.

Mrs Barritt, 61, who raised Dominic with her husband Ronald, 54, at their bungalow in Little Clacton, said they were "destroyed" by grief.

She added: "He had true respect for women, he was a true gentleman, and that's what killed him.

"He got punched in the head because he was standing in front of a girl to protect her, he was helping her just like he's done before.

"The other time he was stamped on the head as he tried to protect another girl. We tried to make him report it but he was worried about reprisals. We tried to make him into a true gentleman and now we know that we succeeded."

Nicole Bloomfield, 18, a friend of Dominic, said: "Dom was the life and soul of the party. The police think he stepped in to protect a girl and that's when he was hit, but they are still looking at CCTV footage."

Dominic was attacked in the early hours of Saturday and died at Queens' Hospital in Romford on Monday, with his family at his bedside.

Police last night arrested a 22-year-old man from east London in connection with the death.

The trainee builder had recently passed exams in maths and bricklaying at the Colchester Institute and hoped to have a career in construction.

Mrs Barritt said: "He saved five people's lives with his organs. He wanted every part to be taken, the only thing I didn't let them take was his corneas.

"I'm proud that out of tragedy five other people have been given the gift of life. He carried a donor card and put it on his driving licence too, so that we knew his wishes.

"They still have his small valves and small bowel so other people might be helped too."

She added: "He was a lovely boy, I can't tell you how much he will be missed, he was a special young man. We are absolutely devastated.

"He couldn't do enough for us. He was 6ft 2in and was a real gentle giant. His grandfather is in a wheelchair because of MS and Dominic would pick him up if he fell over and would lift him into the chair. His grandfather is distraught, we all are."

Police are trawling though CCTV footage of the attack and said they are pleased with the amount of information which had come from witnesses.

Mrs Barritt praised the detectives working on the case and urged her grandson's attacker to turn himself in.

She said: "The message is to his parents. How can this boy's parents be so uncaring as to have raised a vicious, nasty person? I hope their consciences are hurting as much as our grief.

"We have some special memories of Dom but the memories aren't long enough. He was only 18. We brought him up to be a caring, helpful boy and he was.

"We have worked so hard, financially, physically and emotionally to mould him into a decent man and that's been taken away."

Detective Superintendent John Quinton, who is leading the inquiry, said there had been a "good response" to witness appeals.

He added: "Dominic was the victim of an unprovoked attack and his family are hoping the community can help us."

Any witnesses are asked to call Essex Police on 0300 3334444.