Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Dad is fighting for life after ‘gang attack’ in park
A DAD is fighting for his life following a suspected attack by five teenage boys.
The victim was found on the street with serious injuries on Easter Sunday and rushed to hospital after being assaulted in a nearby park.
A crowdfunding page had last night raised more than £4,000 for the family of the victim, who has yet to be officially named.
Police said yesterday that he remains in a lifethreatening condition in Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. The four boys were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent.
They were released on bail with strict conditions – such as curfews, staying at a given address away from the local area in Worthing, West Sussex, and not associating with each other. A fifth boy arrested on Monday was also bailed with similar conditions.
A police spokesman said: “Officers were called to Whitebeam Road shortly before 7.30pm on Sunday after a man was found injured in the street. It is believed he was assaulted in nearby Longcroft Park.” The force said it is treating it as an isolated incident but added that residents could expect to see an increased police presence in the area.
Detective Inspector Simon Dunn, leading the investigation, said: “The assault and build-up to it occurred in a public park in daylight, so it was likely that other people would have witnessed the assault or the suspects running from the scene.
“I am keen to hear from anyone who has information but is yet to come forward.”