A MAN who needed reconstructive surgery after he was brutally attacked at a skatepark has spoken about his horror ordeal.
On the evening of July 4, Tom Towell was set upon by a gang in Bradley skatepark, near Gwersyllt, whose shocking attack let him with serious facial injuries.
Mr Towell, 24, returned home to Chestnut Avenue in Acton this week, to convalesce after another round of surgery at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.
Tom Towell was assaulted by a large gang at Bradley skate park
As police are still appealing for information which could help bring his attackers to justice, Mr Towell has spoken to the Leader about what happened on that night and what his life his been like since.
Speaking of the attack, Mr Towell said: "I was just waiting for my friend. People at the cricket club started chatting and came over to meet us, my mate had arrived by this point.
"A huge crowd of them came over and they said 'you think you're cheeky do you?' which I thought I am a bit.
"I was just trying to walk away though when one of them sucker punched me in the side.
"Some lads came over, telling the group to have some respect, but in the confusion they thought we had started it, so they chased us away telling us to show some respect.
The attack has left Tom housebound and unable to engage in his favourite hobby.
"Skating is my life." He said. "I've been skating for 13 years and I go to that skatepark every day.
"It's killed my productivity, I can't work at the moment. I'm trapped at home basically. I haven't even got my board because it's with forensics still.
"I'll still skateboard but I wont go back there, I'll probably travel up to Hope or go through town or to Deeside. It's taken away my freedom."
Tom thinks that more should be done to protect skatepark users. "Normally being with this sort of crowd I'd be against CCTV, but there are little kids that go to these places.
"We need cameras in every park. Hope has got one on a 360 degree swivel, but that means it's unlikely to be pointing the right way."
Tom has returned from hospital but still requires more visits, to check up on his surgery. On Monday Tom's mother Louise will head to Bradley and Gwersyllt with posters appealing for information related to the assault.
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