Francesco Candido dies nearly two weeks after ‘unprovoked’ attack on Grote St

An elderly man who was the victim of an “unprovoked” attack on Grote St nearly two weeks ago has died.

An elderly man who was knocked to the ground while walking along Grote St, causing a severe head injury, has died in hospital nearly two weeks after the attack.

Francesco Candido, 89, of West Croydon, was allegedly coward punched by Joel Raymond Page near the Central Market on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 7.

Police confirmed on Sunday that Mr Candido had tragically died of his injuries, which included a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

He had been in the intensive care unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital since the attack, which witnesses say happened while he was carrying shopping bags.

Mr Page, 33, will have his aggravated assault charge upgraded at his next court appearance.

At his first appearance, held the week of the attack, he claimed he was intoxicated at the time of the incident and could not remember what happened.

Mr Candido was attacked near the Central Market earlier this month. Picture: Greg Barila

A court heard the attack on Mr Candido was unprovoked. Picture: Greg Barila

A police prosecutor told the court witnesses confirmed that Mr Page appeared drunk.

“A witness states that at 1pm they saw the defendant walking along Grote St and trip on a parked e-scooter, then a parked car,” the prosecutor said.

“A witness believes he was very drunk, holding a bottle of … rum.

“The witness saw, without provocation, the defendant roundhouse punch the victim.”

Page will appear in court again in January.