Cwmbran man ‘pushed off pub stage’ before death, inquest told

A 102-year-old man with dementia who was allegedly pushed at a Cwmbran pub died nearly two weeks later, an inquest has heard.

Philip Ormerod, from Cwmbran, Torfaen, was taken to hospital in a critical condition following an incident at the Crows Nest pub in the town on 1 August.

He is understood to have been visiting the pub for a drink when he went on to a stage in the venue to complain about the volume of the music.

A 56-year-old man from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, was arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm, and remains on bail under investigation.

The senior coroner Caroline Saunders said the former design engineer “sustained a fall at the pub”, adding that it happened “following an allegation that he was pushed”.

The inquest heard he was taken to the Grange hospital with a fractured hip, however his condition deteriorated and he died on the 12 August.

The coroner said Ormerod’s death was being investigated by police and that a forensic post mortem examination had taken place.

An inquest was opened but adjourned while a police investigation is carried out.

The coroner said that the inquest would not be resumed if there was a criminal prosecution, however should there be a need for a conclusion, it would take place on 26 May 2027.

Philip Ormerod’s son Robert previously said his father was a “pub character” and that he wanted justice for him.

Following Ormerod’s death, Det Ch Insp Shelley Comley, senior investigating officer for Gwent Police, said a criminal investigation is ongoing and urged people to “consider the impact that inaccurate or speculative comments” including “online commentary” could have.

The force is urging anyone who was at the pub between 22:00 and 23:00 BST on the night of the incident to contact them.