1:14am Thursday 5th July 2007
The father of a 25-year-old man who died after a fight is still waiting to lay his son to rest.
Paul Baker died after being involved in a fight near The Lounge bar in Whitehorse Hill in Chislehurst, south-east London, on May 7.
And his family - father Les, mum Janet, two brothers and one sister - is still waiting to hold his funeral as another post-mortem examination is due to be held.
His father said: "Its been incredibly difficult for the whole family.
"Hopefully, once we put Paul to rest, we will all be able to move on.
"I just want to say goodbye to my son properly."
Kitchen fitter Paul, of Westhurst Drive, Chislehurst, would have turned 26 on May 30.
His 52-year-old father added: "Paul was not an aggressive person at all. He would never start a fight.
"Whenever his friends got into trouble, he was always the one telling them to leave it.
"He was really outgoing and polite. I can't believe anyone would want to hurt him."
After Paul suffered head injuries during the fight, he was taken to Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup.
Mr Baker said: "We got a call at about 1am from one of his friends to tell us he had been in a fight and he was in hospital.
"The next day we had to turn the life support machine off.
"When we got home, there were about 30 of his friends outside our house.
"They had followed us home from the hospital and wanted to give their condolences and pay tribute to Paul."
Following the incident, News Shopper's website was inundated with tributes dedicated to Paul.
One read: "You will be dearly missed by all who loved you but will be forever in our hearts as the people whose lives you touched.
"A great friend, son, brother, rest in peace, Paul."
Mr Baker, of Austin Avenue, Bickley, added: "We've been really touched by all the tributes left on the website. It's amazing, the number of people who miss him."
The printing firm manager says he has struggled to come to terms with the death of his son and hopes justice will bring closure for his family.
Mr Baker said: "The murder investigation has been traumatic for all of us and we just hope we get a satisfactory conclusion.
"He was a really outgoing guy who loved his friends; a real rock to everyone in the family who will never be forgotten."
The pair, who are believed to be half-brothers, were remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on August 17.
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