Attack man, 24, fights for life

From the archive, first published Monday 11th Sep 2006.

THUGS left a man fighting for life after smashing a golf club into his skull.

John Haywood, aged 24, was walking home with friends after a night out when he was approached by a gang of five men in Pilkington Road, Kearsley. One of the men attacked him with the club and fractured his skull. Mr Haywood fell to the ground as his friends fled.

Police received a number of calls from people who saw or heard the attack at 3am on Saturday.

Officers went to the scene and sealed off the area after Mr Haywood was taken to hospital.

Det Sgt Ray Sherlock, of Bolton CID, said: "We believe this was an unprovoked attack. The victim was walking with friends when they were set upon by five men. His friends sensed what was going to happen and made an escape.

"The attackers proceeded to assault Mr Haywood using weapons which we believe to be golf clubs.

"We have not yet recovered anything. Witnesses said the attackers ran off in the direction of the park. That was sealed off on Saturday to search for evidence."

Mr Haywood, who lives with his mother, Sandra Hughes, in Grosvenor Street, Kearsley, was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital where his family, who had been told of the attack by police, were waiting to be by his bedside.

He was transferred to Hope Hospital yesterday. Mrs Hughes was too upset to talk about the incident last night.

Neighbours described the scene as something from a horror film.

One Pilkington Road resident, who lives opposite the scene of the attack, said: "The police were knocking on my door at about 3.15am. When I came out, I saw a lot of blood on the road.

"I heard some shouting at about 2.30am and someone was saying: What have you done', but I didn't see what happened."

Police cars blocked off the road, the scene was taped off and forensic officers were called in to search for clues.

Another resident, Martin Edwards, aged 31, said: "My wife and I were in bed and we heard some shouting and screaming.

"We hear shouting on most Friday nights, but this sounded different somehow so I rushed to the window. I could see a lad lying in the road, but I couldn't make out what had happened because it was dark."

Police are appealing to anybody who has information about the incident to contact detectives at Astley Bridge on 0161 856 5470, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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