School’s tribute after teacher’s death in attack

A TEACHER who died after he was attacked outside a town centre bar was described this week as “a truly lovely young man”.

Lewis Siddall, who tought PE at Copley Junior School in Sprotbrough was found dead at home early on Friday morning.

Police arrested a man on suspicion of Mr Siddall’s murder after he was reportedly attacked outside Doncaster’s VDKA bar at 11pm on Thursday night.

A post-mortem examination concluded that the 24-year-old died as a result of a head injury.

Copley Junior’s head teacher Elizabeth Crayton said staff and governors were “greatly shocked and saddened” by the death of a “valued member of our staffing team”.

She added: “He was passionate about encouraging pupils to participate in and enjoy sport. He taught PE and Games throughout school and willingly gave his time after school and at weekends to support our football and cross country teams.

“Lewis was a truly lovely young man — enthusiastic, mild mannered, polite and always vigilant about pupils’ safety.

“He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him at Copley Junior School — we will always remember him.

“When I think about Lewis I can only think of good things – how kind and unassuming he was, how polite and mild mannered, how considerate and enthusiastic, how sensible, reliable and conscientious he was, and there can be no better tribute than that.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with his family at this time.”

A special assembly will be held in his memory at the start of the next school term, Mrs Crayton said.

Police said the 22-year-old man arrested over the bar attack on Mr Skellow, who lived in Doncaster, had been released on bail.

A spokeswoman said: “The inquiry is in its very early stages and there are many more witnesses and lines of enquiry to pursue to ensure we establish the full facts about what happened to Mr Siddall.

“We believe there are a number of people who were at the VDKA bar in Silver Street that night who have not yet spoken to us who could potentially help with our inquiry.

“If you’ve not spoken to police yet, please call 101 quoting incident 122 of August 14. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”