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26-year-old left fighting for life after attack

13/ 2/2008

A MAN was left fighting for his life after confronting drunken youths who taunted him for being bald.

David Burns, 26, of Malvern Avenue, Droylsden, was seriously injured after being goaded from a friend’s house and attacked in the street.

He had gone into the house to escape the gang of youths who hurled abuse at him as he walked home from the Strawberry Gardens pub where he had earlier watched the Manchester derby.

But the gang gathered outside the house and continued to shout abuse until David came back out.

One of the gang then punched him to the head near the junction of Malvern Avenue and Langfield Crescent.

He fell to the floor and smashed his head against the pavement.

David was taken to Tameside Hospital before being transferred to Hope Hospital where his condition was initially described as critical but has since stablilised.

Fighting back tears, sister Cath said: "He’s not been able to speak about it as he doesn’t remember anything. We’ve been with him and he’s in a critical but stable condition and we don't know why this has happened.

"He’s such a nice friendly lad and we don’t understand it."

David had been watching the Manchester derby with pal Kevin Moore and his brother Ian Moore before the attack. Boxer and Manchester City fan Ricky Hatton was also in the pub to celebrate the Blues’ victory.

David, who works for the fraud unit at Norwich Union, was first taunted by up to eight youths as he walked past the Vyas convenience store on Jack Lane.

Kevin and Ian’s father Peter Moore claimed the youths chased his sons and David before the attack.

Peter said: "They goaded David back out and attacked him. My lads are just in shock that something like this has happened."

Greg Scholfield, 24, a postman, said: "David’s a big lad over six feet tall and he’s a real gentle giant.

"I can’t believe this has happened to such a nice guy."

Sharon Cullen, acting landlady of the Strawberry Gardens pub, said: "It’s appalling what’s happened. The pub was packed for the derby and it was a great atmosphere.

"He was in here with Ricky Hatton and everyone else and it’s shocking what's happened after he’s left."

Detective Inspector John Chadwick from Tameside CID said: "This is an extremely serious assault that has left a man fighting for his life in hospital. Although only one punch was actually thrown this demonstrates how a single act of violence can have potentially fatal consequences."

A 17 year old was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder. He was later released pending further inquiries.