Man 'lucky to survive' beating

A 45-year-old Shropshire man was lucky to survive the injuries he suffered when a gang of thugs attacked him, detectives revealed today.

The victim, named by friends as Stephen Kenny, was attacked in Wellington in the early hours of Sunday.

He remained at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital today where his condition was said to be improving.

But Detective Inspector Ernie Locke said doctors did not yet know what lasting damage the injuries had caused.

Mr Kenny, a porter at the hospital where he is being treated, was attacked as he walked between Park Street and Vineyard Road in Wellington on Sunday at about 2.20am.

Three men, in their late teens, were arrested on suspicion of assault following the attack and remain in police custody today.

Mr Locke said: "He sustained significant head and facial injuries. We know he had been to the Station Hotel and left a couple of hours later, but there is a two-hour gap until he was attacked.

"He was found semi-conscious lying on the ground by a member of the public and was taken to hospital where his condition deteriorated. This attack, even though he is now stable, could have been fatal."

Mr Locke said Mr Kenny had not been robbed and still had all of his belongings on him when he was found.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Telford police on 08457 444888.