Dad of former Chesterfield soldier killed in town centre wants to make nights out safer

Joe Robotham, who served in the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment for four years before working at Joseph Ash, was hit in the face with a glass bottle outside Vibe bar in Holywell Street in the early hours on Saturday 8 February 2020.

He was rushed to hospital but died the following day after suffering a fractured skull and severe brain damage.

On Friday, 25-year-old Connor Rose, formerly of Baden Powell Road, Chesterfield, was jailed for 14 years for murder.

Speaking outside Derby Crown Court following the sentencing, Joe’s mum Deborah said: “Today we have had justice and although it will never bring Joe back to us it will bring us resolution. It is also a comforting thought that Connor Rose will not hurt anyone else.

"Joe was our beautiful, loving boy who had a joy for life. He lived life to the full and squeezed into his 23 short years experiences and travel that some people won’t experience in a lifetime.

Rose will be eligible for release after 13 years and five days because of the 360 days he has already spent in custody.

On the sentence, Deborah said: “It’s a life sentence for him (Rose) but he will come out, we will live with this forever.”

"I think the murder verdict was fitting.”

Joe’s family said the police and Crown Prosecution Service had shown them “the very best of care and compassion”.

They also thanked the door staff at Vibe and two girls who gave first aid to Joe at the scene.

Deborah said: "Joe created many great memories with all his family, friends and colleagues. Anyone who knew him spoke so highly of him and with great affection.

“We are proud of what he achieved and the man he became. He was kind and considerate and would always take the side of the underdog.”

She added: “Joe served in the army and for him to have lost his life this way doesn’t make any sense to us and all our hopes and dreams of the future have been cruelly taken from us.”

Joe’s father, Richard, who is from Chesterfield but now lives in Bulgaria, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to ask the Vibe nightclub owner to perhaps meet with myself and other representatives from the police and the licensing department to consider ways forward to making Chesterfield a safer place.

"I just want to make Chesterfield a better place for nights out.”

Richard said will remember his eldest son “for his smile.”

Deborah added: “He was a social animal, he loved a good time. He loved being with friends, he loved being with family. He loved us very much and we know that.”

In a statement following the attack, Vibe Chesterfield said: “The safety of our customers is our top priority and we have implemented a series of voluntary measures to further improve upon our existing policies.

"We will now be exclusively using polycarbonate and plastics to serve all drinks and will be the first venue in Chesterfield to do so.”

Other safety improvements include body-worn cameras for door staff and closing the bar one hour earlier at 5am.