TRIBUTES were paid today to a man who died following a fight outside a Weymouth pub.

Michael Wooldridge suffered serious head injuries outside the Lugger Inn at Chickerell on Saturday night and later died in Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester.

Mr Wooldridge, 34, lived in Chickerell and worked as a welder at Park Engineering on the Granby Industrial Estate.

Former co-owner of Park Engineering, Dave Higson paid tribute to a ‘hard worker’. He said he was shocked by Mr Wooldridge’s death and said his thoughts were with the family.

Mr Higson said: “I was very shocked to hear about Mike’s death and I really feel for his family.

“I just can’t get my head round it to be honest. It’s something you don’t think will happen close to home.”

Mr Higson described Mr Wooldridge as an ‘important cog in the wheel’ at the company. He said: “Mike worked for me for a number of years as a welder and fabricator and was a hard worker.

“He worked a lot on the conversions we had to do for vehicles that were used by the military in Iraq.

“We were on a deadline then and had to get the orders finished and Mike did us proud many times and worked extra shifts when we asked him.”

Mr Higson added: “Mike was a typical lad. He was a good bloke. He worked hard and played hard.”

Park Engineering was a long-time sponsor of Weymouth Football Club and Mr Higson is a member of the newly-formed board.

He recalls a time when the FA Cup was on tour and was brought to the company’s offices.

“We had photographs taken and I remember Mike being Mike, he turned up in a Southampton Football Club shirt. He was obviously a Saints’ fan and very proud to have his picture taken with the cup,” said Mr Higson.

Mr Higson’s son Jon who also worked with Mr Wooldridge, said: “He was a good worker.

“He enjoyed a laugh with the lads, going out and watching football down the pub.”

Mr Wooldridge’s family said they were too upset to talk about his death.

  • Two brothers from Chickerell appeared at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court earlier this week charged with Mr Wooldridge’s manslaughter. Robin Shaun Randall, 30, and Ross Charles Randall, 31, will reappear at Dorchester Crown Court on Tuesday, April 14.