Mum’s fears for son after attack in city centre

26-YEAR-OLD SUFFERED BROKEN NECK IN INCIDENT

A devastated mum has said her son could have been left brain-damaged and paralysed after he was attacked while on a night out in Newcastle city centre.

The 26-year-old man, who does not wish to be named, was on a Christmas night out with his friends when he was assaulted on December 18.

The Washington labourer was later taken to hospital where doctors diagnosed him with two bleeds on the brain, two skull fractures, and a broken neck.

His mum, who also wants to remain anonymous, said her son spent Christmas in hospital and hopes his story will raise awareness of the life-changing consequences of such attacks.

“People know that one punch can kill. I want to raise awareness of the violence and hopefully bring any witnesses forward,” she said.

“It’s awful. Doctors on Christmas Eve were telling us there is a high chance he could end up paralysed or brain-damaged because of the injuries to his head and neck. He is in a neck brace for six weeks and on morphine for the pain.

“He goes to the Royal Victoria Infirmary again in six weeks’ time and, if there is a significant improvement, they will leave on the brace a bit longer but, if not, they are going to have to go down the surgery route, which is the last resort.

“Where the broken neck is, it’s so close to his spinal column, so they don’t want to operate until they really have to because they said this surgery could cause paralysis.”

Northumbria Police said a 26-yearold man was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm, but later released under investigation.

A force spokesman said: “At 9.50pm on Saturday, December 18, police received a report of an assault on a man near to Monument Metro Station in Newcastle.

“It was reported that a man was assaulted by a known male, leaving him with injuries to his face and head.

“Officers attended the scene and the man was taken to hospital.

“An investigation has been launched into the incident and a 26-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm and released under investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the Northumbria Police website or by calling 101 quoting log number NP-20211218-1144