The fiancee of a Dundee man who died after an alleged assault outside a London pub has spoken of her sorrow at the “senseless” tragedy.
Jenny Kennedy was joined by family and friends of David Forbes for a celebration of his life at Chalmers-Ardler Church, Dundee, yesterday.
The 42-year-old father-of-two died in hospital on December 7, almost two weeks after the alleged attack outside The Rocket pub on Euston Road on November 25.
A 22-year-old man was later arrested in North London on suspicion of murder.
Jenny, who shared a home with David in Kinloch Rannoch, said: “It’s just so senseless. He was such a lovely guy. He had a heart of gold and will be sorely missed by a lot of people.
“It just seems so cruel, what’s happened. Life is so precious and everything David and I had together is now gone.
“My world has been turned upside-down. I don’t know what I’m going to do now.”
The couple dated as teenagers when they were both pupils at Harris Academy, but went their separate ways after leaving school.
David went on to have two boys, Calvin (18) and Liam (7), while Jenny had a daughter, Sarah (15).
They rekindled their romance just under a year ago and were planning on getting married next summer.
Jenny (42) said: “We were to get married on July 13 next year in Braes Kirk, up at Rannoch. I had tried on my dress and everything. It was all I could think about today at the service.
“We were looking forward to settling down together but nothing was formally announced, so I had to tell his family at his bedside, just before he died.”
David was approached by a man and allegedly punched before falling and hitting his head on the ground. He was taken to King’s College Hospital, where Jenny held a bedside vigil.
She said: “He was still with us at that point. I was speaking to him, kissing him. He would blink and I hope that he was hearing me.
“I was so glad I was there and had that time with him. I know he’ll be looking after me now, from above.”
David’s body is still in London so a formal funeral is yet to be organised, but Jenny is already planning another gathering in his honour.
She said: “Yesterday was a celebration of his life but David would have wanted a party too, so we’re having that on his birthday in March.”