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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Mother appeals over brutal attack | Mother appeals over brutal attack |
| (about 10 hours later) | |
| The family of a North East soldier who is fighting for his life after being beaten unconscious have appealed for help to catch his attackers. | The family of a North East soldier who is fighting for his life after being beaten unconscious have appealed for help to catch his attackers. |
| Christopher Smith, 18, from Hartlepool was assaulted on 5 November after a night out on the town. | |
| He is in a critical condition in Hartlepool General Hospital, where his family are keeping a bedside vigil. | He is in a critical condition in Hartlepool General Hospital, where his family are keeping a bedside vigil. |
| Mr Smith's mother, Pauline Cornforth, described the attack near the Sun Inn on Durham Road as brutal and cowardly. | Mr Smith's mother, Pauline Cornforth, described the attack near the Sun Inn on Durham Road as brutal and cowardly. |
| The victim and his friend, Simon Lamb, passed a group of people arguing outside the pub shortly before they were assaulted. | The victim and his friend, Simon Lamb, passed a group of people arguing outside the pub shortly before they were assaulted. |
| Mrs Cornforth said: "As Christopher and Simon walked past they were attacked from behind. It was a brutal and cowardly attack which left our son in critical care. | Mrs Cornforth said: "As Christopher and Simon walked past they were attacked from behind. It was a brutal and cowardly attack which left our son in critical care. |
| "We are praying that the dedication and skill of the medical staff who are working round the clock can help him pull through. | "We are praying that the dedication and skill of the medical staff who are working round the clock can help him pull through. |
| Mr Smith's family are keeping a vigil at his bedside | Mr Smith's family are keeping a vigil at his bedside |
| "Someone, somewhere knows something, has seen something or has been told something about this terrible, cowardly attack." | "Someone, somewhere knows something, has seen something or has been told something about this terrible, cowardly attack." |
| Mr Lamb was treated in hospital for cuts, bruises and swelling to his face and body. | Mr Lamb was treated in hospital for cuts, bruises and swelling to his face and body. |
| Following the incident, five men aged between 17 and 21 and an 18-year- old woman were arrested on suspicion of wounding. They have since been released on bail. | Following the incident, five men aged between 17 and 21 and an 18-year- old woman were arrested on suspicion of wounding. They have since been released on bail. |
| Det Insp Craig Hobbs from Cleveland Police said: "How one human being can inflict that on another is beyond belief. | Det Insp Craig Hobbs from Cleveland Police said: "How one human being can inflict that on another is beyond belief. |
| "We would ask people to look to their conscience. They may think the information they hold it is of no importance - let us be the judge of that. | "We would ask people to look to their conscience. They may think the information they hold it is of no importance - let us be the judge of that. |
| "No matter how small it is, it could prove vital to us." | "No matter how small it is, it could prove vital to us." |