Care home worker, 46, fights for his life after being beaten to a pulp when he stepped in to save his 11-year-old son from teenage bullies
- Alan Willson, 46, sprinted from home in Worthing, West Sussex, to nearby park
- He heard group of 14 and 15 year olds were throwing son to the floor on Sunday
- But when Mr Willson tried to intervene, the thugs knocked him unconscious
- Mr Willson suffered fractures to his spine and had to have surgery on his brain
- 5 youths arrested for attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent
A care home worker, 46, is fighting to stay alive after group of thugs beat him to a pulp after he stepped in to save his 11-year-old son from teenage bullies.
Alan Willson, 46, sprinted from his home in Worthing, West Sussex, to nearby Longcroft Park when he heard a group of 14 and 15 year olds throwing his son to the floor on Easter Sunday.
But when he tried to intervene, the thugs knocked him unconscious – before hitting his head with an object as his horrified son watched on.
Mr Willson suffered lung trauma, broken bones and fractures to his spine – and had to have surgery on his brain in Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.
Five youths – who cannot be named due to their age – have been arrested for attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent.
Four were arrested on Sunday and another on Monday. All five have been since been bailed – but are under ‘strict conditions’ including a ban on meeting each other and curfews.
Alan Willson, 46, (right) sprinted from his home in Worthing, West Sussex, to nearby Longcroft Park when he heard a group of 14 and 15 year olds throwing his son to the floor on Easter Sunday
The pandemic frontline worker is currently in a coma – with those close to his family terrified that he may wake up with brain damage, The Sun reports.
His horrified wife Annie, 49, described how her husband is ‘fighting for his life after brain surgery for multiple bleeds on the brain’.
In a post online, she told how the thugs started ‘hitting him and keep hitting him until he was down and unconscious’.
She added: ‘He is fighting for his life after brain surgery for multiple bleeds on the brain. He is the most kind and gentle man in the world.’
She said their 11-year-old son has been left traumatised by the ordeal.
Mr Willson’s 25-year-old daughter Becky Willson issued a heartbreaking post on Facebook about her father, urging him to not ‘let those boys win’.
Mr Willson suffered lung trauma, broken bones and fractures to his spine – and had to have surgery on his brain in Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton. Pictured: Police at the scene on Sunday
She wrote: ‘I just wish i could just see you dad and tell you its going to be okay.
‘Please dad fight for your f****** life you are such a strong, caring man who has brought us kids up and loved us like we are your own.
‘You have so much life left to live and a granddaughter who needs to grow up with her nan-dad.
‘I wish I could just hold your hand but unfortunately Covid has decided that for us.
‘You can do this dad. Don’t let those boys win.’
Five youths – who cannot be named due to their age – have been arrested for attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent. Pictured: Police at the scene on Sunday
Four youths were arrested on Sunday (police at the scene on Sunday, pictured) and another on Monday. All five have been since been bailed – but are under ‘strict conditions’ including a ban on meeting each other and curfews
A JustGiving fundraiser has been set up by the Willsons family friend Cheryl Edwards.
It set out to raise only £500 to ‘support family’ with expenses such as travel.
But donations have snowballed with the grand total now standing at £7,603.
To donate to Mr Willson’s fundraiser, click here.
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