Post by Focus on Apr 29, 2013 8:04:04 GMT
A crimewatch appeal will tonight urge witnesses to come forward after a vicious assault which left a father-of-three with devastating head injuries.
Gary Hayward, 29, was beaten into a coma while trying to protect his father John from a gang of around 20 armed youths in New Addington, south London, in October 2011.
Gary Hayward, 29, was beaten into a coma while trying to protect his father
He was taken to hospital in a critical condition and remains in a non-responsive condition having sustained life-changing injuries during the assault.
Four people were arrested in connection with the incident but all were released without charge.
The programme, due to be screened on BBC1 tonight, includes a reconstruction of the attack as police offered a £20,000 reward for information which leads to a prosecution in the case.
Detective Inspector Simon Harding, who is leading the investigation, said: “We have made several appeals to the public to come forward with information about Gary and John’s attackers.
“We believe that there are people that know the identity of those responsible for this assault, which has left Gary in an unresponsive state to this day.
“With the reconstruction being shown on Crimewatch along with a £20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those involved, we are hoping that someone will pick up the phone to us.
“We remain determined to bring those responsible to justice and would urge anyone with information to come forwards. I can assure the public that we will treat anyone coming forward with information with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity.”
Mr Hayward suffered serious head injuries during the assault , while his father suffered cut head and was discharged from hospital.
Mr Hayward suffered serious head injuries during the assault
During the programme, Gary’s father describes the brutal beating he and his son suffered.
He says: “They managed to knock me to the ground, just a few yards from Gary.
“I saw Gary wasn’t moving. They were beating him all the time, non-stop. They were beating me as well.
“At that point I decided to lay still, pretending I was unconscious, which they did.
“I was almost unconscious but I managed to crawl over to Gary. He wasn’t breathing very well.”
Gary’s sister also speaks of her hope of finding justice for her brother.
Zowey Hayward says: “The best outcome that we can hope for really is that Gary gets his justice. Gary can’t fight for it for himself.”
Anyone with information about the assault should contact Croydon CID on 020 3276 2264 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Let's hope the b**tards that carried out this horrendous attack are caught and soon, Gary did not deserve this!! - Fx
