Intensive care for paralysed pub-row woman

Claire Hilton, 28, broke her back when she fell in an unprovoked attack yards from her home in West Boldon, South Tyneside, on Friday night.

She was being treated for her spinal injuries at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, and was taken into intensive care on Wednesday after she started coughing. A hospital spokeswoman said Ms Hilton’s condition was “stable”.

The telesales adviser is believed to be unlikely to be able to walk again.

Her father, Paddy Hilton, said: “She seemed to be having a good day but then they tried to give her a drink and she ended up on the life support machine.”

Three people have appeared in court in connection with the incident.