Teenager dies from a single blow to the head after stepping in to protect woman

The family of an 18-year-old who died after he was punched in the head believe he had stepped in front of a female friend to protect her.

Dominic Barritt was enjoying a night out with friends 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, said they were 'destroyed' by grief.

She said: '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.

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 couldn't do enough for us. He was 6ft2in and was a real gentle giant."

'He saved five people's lives with his organs. He wanted every part to be taken. I'm proud that out of tragedy five people have been given the gift of life.'

Police are trawling though CCTV footage of the attack which took place as he was enjoying a night out with friends in Walton-on-Naze, Essex.

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

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

She added: '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 to mould him into a decent man and that's been taken away.'

Any witnesses are asked to call Essex Police on 0300 333 4444.