Two men arrested over brutal attack on grandfather

The men, both from the East Dene area and aged 21 and 29, were detained yesterday evening.

As previously reported by The Yorkshire Post, the 81-year-old grandfather was discovered with serious head injuries on Fitzwilliam Road, East Dene, at 5.25am on Monday.

Police have said he would have died if he had not been found slumped on the ground.

The “gentle and unconfrontational” pensioner was attacked while he was on his way to morning prayers.

South Yorkshire Police’s Det Chief Insp Zaf Ali said today: “We are continuing to follow a number of lines of enquiry including house to house and analysis of local CCTV.

“I am though still keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the incident, which we believe occurred between 3am and 4am in the early hours of Monday morning in an area just off Fitzwilliam Road.

“The victim remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

“Increased patrols by neighbourhood officers will remain in the area to reassure local residents.”

Anyone with information is asked to call South Yorkshire Police via 101, quoting incident number 147 of 10 August 2015.