A VITAL witness, who helped to save the life of a Bradford man when he was assaulted as he went home after a game of snooker, has come forward after an appeal in the Telegraph & Argus.

Dad-of-one Simon Hackett, 35, is in intensive care at Leeds General Infirmary after suffering serious head injuries.

He was attacked near to Buttershaw Lane Working Men's Club, in St Helena Road, Wibsey, Bradford, where he had been playing snooker with a friend, at about 12.15am, on Sunday, September 20.

Mr Hackett, who has an 11-year-old daughter, remains unconscious and in a critical condition, but his partner, Caroline Sykes, 45, said there were some signs of recovery.

She said: "On a scale of recovery, from nought to 15, he has gone from zero to seven or eight, and last night he reached nine.

"He has had a brain scan which showed there was no infection, which was good news, and although he is not conscious, I am seeing more responses. When I am sat with him I can tell when he is going to sleep. When I talk to him he blinks and when I move round the bed his eyes follow me.

"He is still in intensive care and we have been told he won't be the same Simon because of the brain injury, but there are hopeful signs now and I cannot wait until the day we get him home. It's not the same there without him. I am spending hours a day at his bedside. They are very long days but I am not bothered because I am with him."

Earlier this week, Ms Sykes urged witnesses to the assault to come forward, especially a woman with first aid experience who helped Mr Hackett.

She said: "That lady has come forward and contacted the police as a result of the appeal in the T&A. I am sure she has some useful information.

"She is a heroine. She put Simon in the recovery position. Without her help, he could have died at the scene. At some point I would like to meet her, give her some flowers, a big cuddle and thank her for what she did."

Ms Sykes said her partner's daughter had been going with her to spend time at hospital with her father, but yesterday she had returned to school for the first time since he was injured.

She added: "He is going in the right direction but we have no idea how much he will recover. It is a waiting game."

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the assault. They should contact Detective Constable Gary Birch, of Bradford District CID, via 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

* A 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and is on bail.