A heroic teenager who suffered a cracked skull in a horrific city centre attack had stepped in to help a friend who was being targeted by a group of revellers.
Good Samaritan Tom Meehan, 19, was with his friend Sophie Priestley at a nightclub, when a number of clubbers started hassling her.
Tom, of Littleover, Derbys., who volunteers at a local charity, defended Sophie after a girl approached her for dancing with her boyfriend.
Words were exchanged, so the pair – who have been friends for eight years – left Fever nightclub in Derby to avoid any further confrontation – but the group followed them and troubled flared again.
Sophie ran away, but Tom – who was then brutally attacked – does not remember what happened next.
A friend called an ambulance and a passing police officer found Tom lying on the floor with serious injuries, and the teenager was rushed to the Royal Derby Hospital.
He suffered a cracked skull and a broken jaw after the horrific attack at around 3.50am on Thursday (11/8).
Speaking on Saturday (13/8), Tom’s mum Kirby, 41, of Stockbrook, Derbys., said: “My son is very friendly and looks after people.
“He’s peaceful and does not like trouble. He said he told the group he did not want any trouble and asked them to leave it.
“When I went to visit him in hospital I could not believe it.
“He looked like he had been slashed. He looked like a total mess. I feared the worst when I saw him.
“When I was told what happened and you hear the words ‘city centre attack’, it’s horrible.
“I fell to the floor when I saw him in hospital. It was like something out of a horror movie.
“We just have to keep telling ourselves that it could have been so much worse.
“We’re taking him home today. He’s had his jaw reset and a plate put in it.
“He can’t eat anything but soft foods like soup for the next six weeks.
“He’s so strong and he’s doing really well.
“He is the softest and calmest person you’ll ever meet.”
When he was 12, Tom and a friend were threatened by a man with a knife near to Derby Moor Community Sports College, where he was a student.
Kirby, who works as a library assistant, said: “Tom stepped in and told them to take his stuff and to leave his friend alone. He is always thinking of others.
“The people that attacked my son are capable of killing someone. They need to be caught and taken off the streets.
“Please, we need your help. Anybody who saw anything or knows of anything please contact the police now.
“It’s really important the people who are responsible for this and found by the police.
Derbyshire Police confirmed there have been no arrests in connection with the assault, and are appealing for witnesses.
Anyone with information is urged to ring 101.
