THE family of a man who died after being found unconscious in an Oxford street have spoken about their first Christmas without him.

Father-of-six David Cox, 56, of Asquith Road, Rose Hill, was found unconscious early on Saturday, June 26, after an argument with a group of men.

He died about 12 hours later at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington.

Now Mr Cox’s family, which includes his six children, and his nine brothers and sisters, who all still live in Cowley and Rose Hill, have spoken of their sadness at spending the festive period without him.

Sandra Davies, Mr Cox’s sister, said the family were still struggling to come to terms with his death.

Mother-of-three Mrs Davies, 55, said: “Everyone liked David. He was a bit of a joker.

“We all have our own families and grandchildren now, but we would all try and get together over the Christmas period.

“This year it was very sad when it came to Christmas and he was not here. It was very difficult.”

Mrs Davies is a full-time carer for her husband, who has Hodgkin’s disease, and for her mentally disabled son.

She said her granddaughter, Mr Cox’s six-year-old niece Chloe Hyka, was finding his loss particularly difficult to deal with.

Mrs Davies added: “David and Chloe were very close.

“She keeps asking whether Uncle David is coming around.

“Chloe has made him a card with a picture of him and santa on.

“She has put it on the mantlepiece next to a picture of him.”

She said the family had lit a candle for Mr Cox on Christmas Day.

Mrs Davies said: “We just want to get through the end of the year and then next year we hope for some answers.

“We hope to move forward and somehow have a better life. One thing will not change and that is that we will continue to remember David.

“He may be gone but he will never, ever be forgotten.”

Following Mr Cox’s death, a 17-year-old youth has been charged with manslaughter and has been released on bail until the end of January.