A man accused of raping a teenager 30 years ago who was brutally beaten in front of a cheering crowd just weeks before he was due to stand trial died due to a serious head injury, an inquest heard.
John Masser, 49, suffered a suspected brain haemorrhage after being attacked in the street.
It is understood that the father-of-three was leaving a friend’s house in Basildon, Essex, last Sunday when he was cornered.
An inquest heard John Masser, 49, left and right, died of a suspected brain haemorrhage following an assault in front of a cheering crowd. It came weeks before he was due to stand trial for an alleged rape 30 years ago
He died in hospital two days after the attack and 36-year-old Stephen Keeble has been charged with his murder.
An inquest into his death was opened at Chelmsford Coroner’s Court on Tuesday and a statement read out to the court said: ‘On October 1, it is believed this 49-year-old gentleman was assaulted and he was conveyed to Basildon Hospital.
‘On October 3, his condition deteriorated and he sadly passed away. Essex Police are investigating the death and a male has been arrested.
‘A forensic post mortem was carried out by Dr Cary and he has given a provisional cause of death as a severe head injury.’
Following Mr Masser’s death, tributes flooded in to the ‘popular’ Chelsea fan, who worked as a nightclub doorman.
Long-term friend Shelley Mullen said: ‘I have known John since we were kids and he has always been a lovely person.
‘He always had a smile on his face and always had time for you. John was cheeky and a charmer.
Steven Keeble, pictured, has been charged with murder
‘I am saddened by what I have read happened, firstly because I have known John for many year and secondly because no one deserves to go like that.’
Former colleague Alice Ceckatt remembered him as a friendly man and said: ‘He worked with us for a year or so.
‘He was a quiet man, who kept himself to himself, but he was very nice.’
A relative, who asked not to be named, added: ‘If you were homeless, he would take his shoes off and hand them straight to you.’
Prior to his death, Mr Masser appeared at Basildon Crown Court where he denied carrying out a sex attack on a 16-year-old girl in 1986.
He strongly refuted the allegation and was set to stand trial on November 27.
Keeble, of Vange, Essex, has been remanded in custody and is next due to appear at Basildon Crown Court on November 6.
Essex Police has confirmed the case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) due to Mr Masser’s contact with the police before his death.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101.
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