Friends of a man who died after being found injured in a pub have spoken of their shock.

Robert Anderson, 41, of Upper Lewes Road, Brighton, spent three nights in intensive care after police found him unconscious and unable to breathe at the Good Companions pub in Dyke Road. He died in hospital on Thursday afternoon.

His friends described him as kind and said they did not know what could have happened in the incident on Monday night.

Shireen Rusbridge, whose husband Grant was Mr Anderson’s best friend, said: “He was such a brilliant person.

He was incredibly loyal and so kind and gentle.”

Mrs Rusbridge, of Mackie Avenue, Brighton, said her family had spoken to Mr Anderson earlier that evening as he had been due to visit them but they had to change their plans.

She said: “He was absolutely fine.

He spoke to my daughter Poppy and the last thing he said to her was to give our dog a big ruffle.

“He really was a part of our family.

It’s absolutely tragic that he isn’t with us any more.”

The Rusbridges had known Mr Anderson for eight years after he and Mr Rusbridge became friends as they both had Rhodesian ridgeback dogs.

Mrs Rusbridge said: “My husband was very ill for years and I didn’t have anyone to help me look after him. Rob was the only person I could leave him with.

“He was such a gentle giant. How could this have happened?”

Police were called to the Good Companions at about 9.40pm on Monday after staff reported Mr Anderson had attacked them with a pool cue.

Customers restrained him until police arrived but when officers got there they found he was not breathing.

Police arrested three men aged 18, 22 and 40 on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and questioned them before releasing them on bail.

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 0845 6070999.