Family of Colne attack victim, 28 ‘feared he would die’

11:20am Friday 6th July 2012 in Pendle Photograph of the Author By Chris Gee, Reporter

THE family of a man attacked in a play area have described their ‘six-day nightmare’.

The former partner of Jonathan Armstrong said they ‘feared the worst’ as he lay in a coma after suffering horrific head injuries.

He had to have intensive surgery at Royal Preston Hospital after part of his skull became embedded in his brain.

But the 28-year-old rock music fan, who lives of Green Road, Colne, has now come out of a coma and is showing slight signs of improvement.

On Wednesday, the former Park High School pupil was transferred to Royal Blackburn Hospital from Royal Preston Hospital.

Mr Armstrong, who is known as Jonny, is a former agricultural worker, who also studied motor mechanics at Accrington and Rossendale College, is the father of Paige, five and two-year-old son Jace.

His former partner, Emma Joinson, 33, said the past six days had been 'a nightmare' for all those close to Jonathan.

She said: “We’ve all been knocked sideways by this. It was a massive shock. The few hours after he was taken to hospital were awful as we feared the worst.”

Miss Johnson met Mr Armstrong eight years ago. They spent time working seasonal jobs in Cornwall prior to having children.

Miss Joinson added: “He’s gradually regaining consciousness and his trying his best to communicate and talk.

“He’s also had several stitches in his face and ear.

“But he’s very tired, he had swelling on the brain and these types of injuries take a long time to recover from."

Police were called to a small play area in Hawley Street, Colne, at around 3.30am on Saturday, after nearby residents reported shouting and screaming.

Police said they found Mr Armstrong unconscious on the floor on a path near the park.

Two men have been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent and theft.

Comments (5)

11:56am Fri 6 Jul 12

punkmum says...

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation would like to send our very sincere best wishes to Jonathan, and wish him a speedy and full recovery.
Love to you, Emma, Jace and Paige x
The Sophie Lancaster Foundation would like to send our very sincere best wishes to Jonathan, and wish him a speedy and full recovery. Love to you, Emma, Jace and Paige x punkmum

10:06am Sat 7 Jul 12

twocvbloke says...

Speaking as a member of the family, you did not seek permission from we the family for this story, you are in breach of privacy laws, this story must be removed from this website immediately as per the complaints issued against the paper.
Speaking as a member of the family, you did not seek permission from we the family for this story, you are in breach of privacy laws, this story must be removed from this website immediately as per the complaints issued against the paper. twocvbloke

5:54pm Sat 7 Jul 12

Lilaclilac says...

There is no law they can post what they like ive been there myself as a victim and was named and nothign could be done. Unless the judge granted annominity when the lads were charged reporters can post anything. and to be fair it is a very nice article.
There is no law they can post what they like ive been there myself as a victim and was named and nothign could be done. Unless the judge granted annominity when the lads were charged reporters can post anything. and to be fair it is a very nice article. Lilaclilac

6:00pm Sat 7 Jul 12

BurnleyPeter says...

Yeah cant understand why you want it removing and are not happy?

Sorry to hear about the incident by the way, hope he makes a full recovery.
Yeah cant understand why you want it removing and are not happy? Sorry to hear about the incident by the way, hope he makes a full recovery. BurnleyPeter

9:56pm Sat 7 Jul 12

twocvbloke says...

Incase some of you have forgotten, reporters in the past have published stories similar to this without permission from the victims or families of victims of serious attacks like what happened to my brother, and then the friends of the attackers read said stories in the papers, find the names of the victims have been revealed, then they look up where they live (though seeing how Mr, Gee revealed where my brother lives, that wouldn't be much of a search) and finish the job their mates started, so this article could potentially end up becoming a tool for murder, and the reporter, Chris Gee, being an accessory to murder by publishing this article without our permission or my brother's permission, and before any official statement had been released by us.

I should also point out that Chris Gee called up my brother's ex out of the blue and lied about who he was and asking enough questions to glean enough for him to string together this article, so that's false representation on his part, ending up revealing my brother's name, my niece and nephews' names, aswell as taking photos of both my brother and my niece and nephew from private facebook pages, again without seeking any permissions for re-use, none of this should have been publicised until the police investigation was complete and until our permission was sought.

This article has caused a lot of stress and heartache for us as a family, adding to the worry we have been going through over this past week, we have a right to privacy, which should be respected by all, and breaking this right for "freedom of the press" is not on. The other publications reporting on this incident (Such as the BBC, The Citizen, Lancashire Constabulary, etc.) about my brother have respected our privacy and not named anyone but the perpetrators.

I shall not be adding any information about my brother's current condition here, that will be a part of any official statement or statements we shall release as and when we are ready to do so. Any unwarranted communication from ANY reporters we shall consider as harassment and will be followed up with legal recourse.
Incase some of you have forgotten, reporters in the past have published stories similar to this without permission from the victims or families of victims of serious attacks like what happened to my brother, and then the friends of the attackers read said stories in the papers, find the names of the victims have been revealed, then they look up where they live (though seeing how Mr, Gee revealed where my brother lives, that wouldn't be much of a search) and finish the job their mates started, so this article could potentially end up becoming a tool for murder, and the reporter, Chris Gee, being an accessory to murder by publishing this article without our permission or my brother's permission, and before any official statement had been released by us. I should also point out that Chris Gee called up my brother's ex out of the blue and lied about who he was and asking enough questions to glean enough for him to string together this article, so that's false representation on his part, ending up revealing my brother's name, my niece and nephews' names, aswell as taking photos of both my brother and my niece and nephew from private facebook pages, again without seeking any permissions for re-use, none of this should have been publicised until the police investigation was complete and until our permission was sought. This article has caused a lot of stress and heartache for us as a family, adding to the worry we have been going through over this past week, we have a right to privacy, which should be respected by all, and breaking this right for "freedom of the press" is not on. The other publications reporting on this incident (Such as the BBC, The Citizen, Lancashire Constabulary, etc.) about my brother have respected our privacy and not named anyone but the perpetrators. I shall not be adding any information about my brother's current condition here, that will be a part of any official statement or statements we shall release as and when we are ready to do so. Any unwarranted communication from ANY reporters we shall consider as harassment and will be followed up with legal recourse. twocvbloke

Comments are closed on this article.

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