Dad battered unconscious in street attack CRIME

INJURED: Matt Wright says he could have been killed after an ‘unprovoked’ assault in Halifax. The 45-year-old dad of three has thanked the public for their help after the attack. He is recovering at home.

A DAD-OF-THREE battered unconscious in an unprovoked attack in broad daylight in Halifax fears he could have died.

Matt Wright, 45, had been drinking in town and was walking home around 7pm on Bank Holiday Monday when he was set upon from behind.

Civil servant Matt never saw who attacked him and the next thing he knew he was coming round on the ground with his hands covered in blood.

“It’s shocking this could happen in broad daylight with so many people around,” said Matt. “I’m 6ft tall, I run and I’m reasonably fit.

“If this had been someone with an underlying health condition or an older victim anything could have happened.

“If I had hit my head on the pavement that’s me dead. Of all the possible outcomes I think I’ve been lucky.”

Police took Matt to hospital where scans revealed no broken bones. His right eye was bruised and swollen and he had bruises and swelling to his head and face. Nothing had been stolen.

“I’ve got a bruising and swelling to my head but it’s not as bad as it could have been. It could have been far, far worse,” he said.

Matt, who is married to Rebecca and has three daughters aged 16, 14 and nine, said he went into Halifax at about 1pm and visited various pubs with friends. He was making the 10-minute walk home and was near Trinity Sixth Form Academy when the attack happened.

“I enjoy going out for a pint or five and perhaps I should have just four and go home. But IworkhardforalivingandifI want to have a few pints and walk home I should be perfectly able to do that.

“I don’t know whether I was hit with something or if it was a punch,” said Matt. “I was knocked out and when I came round my hands looked like they’d been dipped in blood. Two lads were sat with me on the pavement so, thanks to them, I wasn’t on my own. Other people stopped their cars to check that I was ok.”

Matt, who is recovering at home, said he didn’t want the attack to affect his confidence in going out.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police were called at 7.13pm on Monday May 3 to reports of an altercation on Market Street, Halifax.

Officers attended and found a man with head injuries, who had been assaulted.

“Four suspects were located and arrested in connection with the incident.

“A 16-year-old male was arrested and has since been bailed.

“A 16-year-old male and a 17-year-old female have also been arrested and remain in custody at this time. A 15-yearold has been charged and remanded in custody to appear in court on May 10 2021.”

People shouldn’t be afraid to walk streets in broad daylight: Matt Wright

ONLINE: Read more on this at www.halifaxcourier.co.uk