Attacked soldier 'critical but stable'

Signalman David Grout, 22, is fighting for his life after he was the victim of an unprovoked attack on Tuesday.

The married father of one was enjoying a low-key homecoming celebration with his parents and looking forward to a reunion with his wife and child when two men confronted him.

After a brief conversation, one threw a punch at the soldier, who fell to the ground and suffered serious head injuries.

He was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, where his family, including his wife, Kerry, and 20-month-old son, Harley, were at his bedside.

A hospital spokesman said the soldier, who serves with the 204 Signals Regiment and is based at Catterick in North Yorkshire, was in an induced coma and remained in a "critical but stable" condition.

Detectives were today continuing to quiz a 19-year-old man who handed himself in to police yesterday.

The teenager made contact after an appeal for witnesses to the attack outside the Eston Institute club in Eston, Teesside.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "A 19-year-old local man has been arrested after he made contact with police following (the) appeal for information about the attack on 22-year-old David Grout.

"The 19-year-old has been arrested in connection with a Section 18 assault, which is assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm."

Mr Grout, who joined the Army straight after leaving school, had recently returned from Helmand province, his grandfather, Bryan Grout, 74, said.

He said he did not know how his grandson came to be attacked but that he was in hospital suffering from a blood clot to the brain.