The wife of Keith Alder, who had his legs amputated after a gang attack left him critically injured, has welcomed the arrest of a second suspect.

Slovakian man Bartolomej Makula was jailed for 15 years last month for his part in the “cowardly and barbaric” attack on retired roofer Mr Alder, 66.

The pensioner was struck with a baseball bat and repeatedly kicked in the garden of his home, as he walked back from a charity event at the Fat Pot club in Great Horton, after he was mistakenly targeted by up to six Eastern European men seeking vengeance for alleged racial abuse.

Makula, 34, of Southfield Lane, Great Horton, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and having an offensive weapon in a public place.

After his conviction, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC asked the prosecution whether any more of the “cowards and villains” had been apprehended, and said he hoped the police would continue to investigate the crime in the hope of charging others involved.

Yesterday a West Yorkshire Police spokesman said a 22-year-old man had been arrested in the Keighley area in connection with the attack.

It is understood he is being questioned on suspicion of wounding with intent after a member of the public came forward with information following the conviction of Makula. He remained in police custody last night.

Speaking about the new arrest, Mr Alder’s wife Kath, 67, said: “It’s absolutely brilliant.

“Police have been to see Keith, showing him pictures. He lost six months of his life in hospital but his brain is coming right again. He’s doing well, a different fella. His mind was just mashed after the attack and all he went through in hospital, but he’s getting better.”

And she added: “We’re hoping that people will keep coming forward to help the police catch everyone who did this terrible thing to my husband.”