Dad knocked unconscious in unprovoked Halifax attack thanks public for coming to his aid

Matt Wright, 45, had been drinking in town and was walking home around 7pm on Bank Holiday Monday when he was set upon from behind.

Civil servant Matt never saw who attacked him and the next thing he knew he was coming round on the ground with his hands covered in blood.

“It’s shocking this could happen in broad daylight with so many people around,” said Matt. “I’m 6ft tall, I run and I’m reasonably fit.

“If this had been someone with an underlying health condition or an older victim anything could have happened.

“If I had hit my head on the pavement that’s me dead. Of all the possible outcomes I think I’ve been lucky.”

Police took Matt to hospital where scans revealed no broken bones. His right eye was bruised and swollen shut and he had bruises and swelling to his head and face. Nothing had been stolen from him.

“I’ve got a black eye or two, bruising and swelling to my head but it’s not as bad as it could have been. It could have been far, far worse,” he said.

Matt, who is married to Rebecca and has three daughters aged 16, 14 and nine, said he went into Halifax at about 1pm and visited various pubs with friends. They ended up at the Piece Hall and he was the last one to leave.

Matt was making the 10-minute walk home and he was across from the Trinity Sixth Form Academy when the attack happened.

“I enjoy going out for a pint or five and perhaps I should have just four and go home. But I am 45 and I work hard for a living and if I want to have a few pints and walk the 10 minutes home I should be perfectly able to do that.

“I don’t know whether I was hit with something or if it was a punch,” said Matt. “I was knocked out and when I came round my hands looked like they’d been dipped in blood. Two lads were sat with me on the pavement so, thanks to them, I wasn’t on my own. Other people stopped their cars to check that I was ok.”

Matt, who is recovering at home, said he didn’t want the attack to affect his confidence in going out.

He added: “People should feel safe whatever they are doing at 7pm. Halifax is a wonderful place to live and I don’t think people should be afraid to go out. If they are then something should be done about it.”

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police were called at 7.13pm on Monday May 3 to reports of an altercation on Market Street, Halifax.

"Officers attended and found a man with head injuries, who had been assaulted.

“Four suspects were located and arrested in connection with the incident.

“A 16-year-old male was arrested and has since been bailed.

“A 16-year-old male and a 17-year-old female have also been arrested and remain in custody at this time. A 15-year-old has been charged and remanded in custody to appear in court on May 10 2021.”