THE wife of a landlord who died after a brutal attack at a Westgate pub has given an emotional appeal in the search for his attackers.

Richard Would, 58, was viciously punched and kicked while he was on the ground outside the Nottingham Castle.

Moments before the 6ft 2 father of seven had asked a group of lads to leave for being rowdy.

Two months later Richard died. Pathologists were unable to link his injuries to his death and police told Linda there was not enough evidence to secure a conviction.

The news was another blow to widow Linda, who is tormented by the events of Saturday, Februrary 24.

She said: "I just remember Richard lying this with hands in his lap in the foetal position. He wasn’t protecting himself at all

"The boy who was kicking him was doing it as if he wanted to kill him. He was so angry."

After recovering for an infection in his brain Richard returned home but Linda said he was a broken man.

She said: "He wasn't interested in anything. He just sat in his chair listening to music and then one day he went to bed and got up in the night and dropped dead.

"I know they can't medically link the injuries or find out 100 per cent what killed him but I know what killed him."

Police arrested 12 people in connection with the assault but need more witnesses to press charges.

Linda added: "They may think they have got away with it but I won't rest until they're punished."

Although it is seven months after the attack area superintendent Chris Hogben is confident witnesses will come forward.

He said: "The harsh reality is that I have seen a number of people who are very reluctant to tell us exactly what happened and as a result we are not in a position to charge anyone.

"I find that quite disturbing. A number of people must have seen what happened and I would ask those people to think very serisouly about what they saw and about their resaons why they have not told the police."

Four men are still on police bail in relation to the attack.