Bolton Wanderers fan hospitalised after assault on Great Moor Street

A DISABLED Bolton Wanderers fan who was viciously assaulted outside a chippy in Bolton feels “scared to leave home” after his injuries required hospital attention.

Johnathan Morris, from Breightmet, was planning to meet his friend on Sunday, August 1, at Olympus fish and chip restaurant on Great Moor Street, where he was brutally attacked by two men.

His attackers “repeatedly kicked and stamped on his head”, according to Johnathan’s sister-in-law, Sasha Hamilton.

The attack took place shortly after 10pm. Johnathan, a former Rumworth High School pupil, then crawled to the nearby bus stop where a driver was able to help him to safety.

He later attended Royal Bolton Hospital with the “severe injuries”.

The 27-year-old suffers from Noonan Syndrome, a condition similar to Down’s Syndrome, and has a number of learning difficulties.

His sister-in-law Sasha said: “Johnathan doesn’t have a bad bone in his body.

“He helps children with Bolton Wanderers volunteers and he normally dresses as Lofty the Lion on matchdays and is a huge fan of the club. The football is everything to him.

“He is kind-hearted and it has taken him years to create independence to go out for a few drinks around town - and he loves listening to music.”

Since the incident, the Bolton Wanderers community has rallied around Johnathan.

He has been handed a Bolton Wanderers season ticket and memorabilia, which he is “delighted” by. But he still feels scared to leave home.

Sasha added: “I am angry, shocked, upset - I feel a mixture of emotions really.

“But I have to keep strong for Johnathan.

“Thank you to everyone for your support on social media for standing by Johnathan and knowing him as such a friendly and funny guy despite his disability.

“Hopefully as a family we can help him get his independence back.”

Since the attack, Johnathan has had a brain scan - which fortunately came back all clear.

But he is also having continual headaches, blurry vision and swelling. He also has a fractured cheek bone below his left eye socket.

Greater Manchester Police was unavailable for comment as The Bolton News went to press.

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