Violent Britain: As one victim is buried, another dies over taxi fare dispute

Raymond Quigley, 72, died after being assaulted during a row over payment for a short cab ride, police said.

A 17-year-old was arrested in connection with the attack, at 3.30am.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "Police are able to confirm that the incident appears to have started out with a fare Mr Quigley had carried out that evening.

"Detectives are working to piece together the exact circumstances of what happened.

"The 17-year-old remains in custody and continues to be questioned by detectives."

In a second shocking beating over a paltry sum of money, grandad Brian Hughes, from Liverpool, was beaten to a pulp outside his home for £15.

His family have appealed for help to find the attacker.

His daughter Joanne said: "I want everyone to look at those photographs and see what can happen randomly to a lovely man like my dad.

"The physical scars will probably heal, but it's the mental scars I'm worried about. I can't see him forgetting about what happened.

"There are some sick people in the world. Whoever did this could easily do the same to someone else. He is an animal."

Book-keeper Mr Hughes, 59, staggered the short walk from where he was attacked to his home and fell unconscious into the arms of wife Irene.

The attacker ripped open his pocket and stole the money and his house keys.

Ms Hughes, who lives six doors away from her father in Clarendon Road, said: "The man was unhinged.

"I think he wanted to beat someone up far more then he wanted money because my dad didn't have much on him."

Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of Garry Newlove, the father-of-three allegedly beaten to death by a gang of youths.

The devastated wife and three daughters of Mr Newlove wept and held each other as they were joined by scores of mourners for the service.

Mr Newlove, 47, who was a sales manager and part-time DJ from Cheshire, suffered head injuries after confronting teenagers outside his home in Warrington on Friday, August 10.

He was taken to Warrington Hospital but died on Sunday, August 12.

Three youths and an adult have been charged with murder.

Mr Newlove's coffin was carried into Christ Church, Padgate, Warrington, by six members of his family.

The death of Mr Newlove, who had earlier survived stomach cancer, sparked a national debate about restrictions on the sale of alcohol.

The Chief Constable of Cheshire Police, Peter Fahy, called for the legal age for drinking to be increased to 21.