Law graduate 'improving' after vicious attack by gang of yobs

Dave Burns was surrounded by the youths only hours before three teenagers were given life for beating Garry Newlove to death in an alarmingly similar attack.

In a chilling echo, Mr Burns, 26, was also punched in the face and crashed to the ground where he suffered severe head injuries.

Police said today his condition had improved from "critical" to "stable" at a special neurological unit in Hope Hospital, Salford.

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Street attack: Dave Burns was knocked unconscious by yobs in Tameside, Greater Manchester on Sunday night and is currently in a stable condition

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the attack and has been bailed to March 11 pending further inquiries.

The attack took place at the junction of Langfield Crescent and Malvern Avenue in Droylsden, Tameside, Greater Manchester - just 20 miles from Mr Newlove's hometown of Warrington - shortly after 8.30pm on Sunday.

Mr Burns, who recently graduated with a law degree, had been verbally abused by a gang of teenagers as he walked home from the Strawberry Gardens pub after watching the Manchester football derby. Regulars there had been joined by boxing star Ricky Hatton.

Neighbours said youths have been a constant menace drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis in the streets.

As he walked down the street with his friends, Kevin Moore, 24, and Ian Moore, 26, it is believed a gang of around eight youths began shouting "baldy" at Mr Burns.

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The friends continued down the road and arrived at their destination. There, they discovered that the youths had been causing problems outside earlier in the evening. They went out to investigate and it was then the attack took place.

Mr Burns became separated from his friends and was surrounded by around eight teenagers before one of them punched him in the face.

He was taken to Tameside General Hospital and was later transferred to Hope Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Detective Inspector John Chadwick, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "Although only one punch was actually thrown, this demonstrates how a single act of violence can have potentially fatal consequences.

"I appeal to the conscience of the members of the group that surrounded the victim.

"I believe that some of them may have actually tried to help him before running off and I look to them now to do the decent thing and come forward sooner rather than later."

Three of the offenders are described as white and aged 17.

The victim, who recently started work as an insurance fraud investigator, shares a home with his mother, Agnes, 60, and sisters, Catherine and Jane.

Catherine said: "We just don't know why this has happened. He's such a friendly lad who wouldn't harm anyone."

Sharon Cullen, acting landlord of the pub, said: "It's awful. He's a really nice lad who's been coming here for a few years and never been any bother. I think his dad died of cancer last year."

A talented cricketer, Mr Burns plays for the local Droylsden team and had gone to school in the town.

Resident Joan Paolo, 58, said Mr Burns and his sisters had attended St Stephen's Primary School, where she taught.

"He's such a likeable lad," she added. "I can't believe he would have confronted anyone. He wouldn't hurt a fly."

Mrs Paolo said there had been trouble with gangs of youths on the estate and houses including hers had CCTV cameras.

Chief Superintendent Zoe Hamilton said police believed Mr Burns had suffered a single punch and then had fallen and banged his head on the ground.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 0161 856 9252 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.