Norton Assault - Girlfriend Appeals for Information

The girlfriend of a man who remains fighting for his life four weeks after he suffered serious head injuries in an alleged assault has joined police in appealing to the public for their help.

24-year-old Shane Tunney remains in a coma at James Cook University Hospital due to serious head injuries suffered in an incident in Norton in the early hours of Saturday 27th June.

His girlfriend, 23-year-old Vix Cooper, has joined police in appealing to trace potential witnesses who have yet to come forward.

Vix, who spoke on behalf of Shane’s family, said: “Our whole lives have come to a halt. We can’t get on with normal things and we put all our effort into supporting Shane. He needs us now more than he ever has. This is the hardest thing that he has ever had to do. He’s a lovely person and would do anything for anyone. “We don’t understand why this has happened and we just want him to get better as soon as he can. Anyone who might have information regarding what happened should contact the police.”

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Young, said:

“We know that at around 2am on Saturday 27th June Shane and his friend, Anthony Kirk, visited the cash machine at Tesco Express on Norton High Street on their way to a local takeaway. A verbal argument took place with a group of young males who had climbed onto the roof of Tesco Express and pelted Shane and Anthony with food. The men then walked away in the direction of Norton Road.

A short time later, Shane and Anthony were confronted and then allegedly assaulted by a group of youths at the junction of Holly Street. We believe that an implement was used in the attack and that the pair were kicked, stamped on and punched. Shane’s iPhone 5S was also stolen during the incident. The group made off through an alley next to the church, away from the High Street. Fortunately Anthony suffered only minor injuries, however, Shane was not so fortunate. He remains in a coma and his family and girlfriend are obviously devastated by what has happened. I have a number of direct appeals to issue today. Firstly, I would appeal to the driver of a red Audi A3 who was parked outside Tesco Express between midnight and 1.50am. It is believed that the driver may have seen a group of youths in the area of Tesco Express shortly before the incident took place and he or she may be able to assist with our enquiries. CCTV enquiries have shown a number of vehicles passing the area of the incident as it takes place, and any drivers or passengers from those vehicles are urged to contact us with any information that they may have. I would also appeal to anyone who may have found or been offered for sale an iPhone 5S in space grey. This could be the phone that was allegedly stolen in the assault. Finally, a woman contacted police anonymously from a telephone box on Thursday 9th July. We would ask that woman to contact police again as she may have further information which could assist this investigation. She can speak to me directly, by calling 101, or I can call her back if she wants to leave her contact details.

Shane is a young man in the prime of his life who was going about his daily business when this random attack took place. Now he lies in a hospital bed, fighting for his life. I believe that there are people in the local community who know exactly what happened that night and for whatever reason they don’t want to come forward. It has been talked about in the local community and on social media and those people who have information have a moral duty to come forward and speak to us.”

Seven teenagers remain on bail pending further enquiries in connection with the incident. A 16-year-old boy and three males aged 17 were arrested on suspicion of GBH and robbery, and males aged 16, 17 and 18 were arrested on suspicion of GBH. All have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone who may have seen a group of young males in the area prior to the incident or anyone with further information regarding the investigation is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.