Friends of a Keighley teacher who is in a coma after being attacked in Thailand have described as “a complete disgrace” a decision to release his alleged attacker on bail.

Sean Henry Tinsley, 43, who has been charged with attempting to murder former Bradford Grammar School pupil Adam Pickles, has been released by the Thai authorities until a future trial, Mr Pickles’ friends said.

He had been remanded in custody for allegedly attacking Mr Pickles with a wheelbrace after an incident in which a car was scraped.

Mr Pickles’ friend, Neil Clappison said he feared the decision may drag out their “living nightmare” to see the 40-year-old recover from his injuries and his alleged attacker brought to justice.

He said: “We are angry and upset that this man has been granted bail to walk the streets as he pleases given the alleged chain of events leading to his arrest.

“This is nothing short of a complete disgrace and we are beginning to lose faith in the Thai authorities.”

The decision to release Tinsley, of Wolverhampton, was announced a week after Mr Pickles’ mum Adele made an emotional plea to keep him behind bars.

At the time, Mrs Pickles, 61, said: “We hope and pray that this man is now kept off the streets until the official trial takes place.

"We do not want any other family to go through the hell we are experiencing.”

Mr Clappison said yesterday: “Our main focus has and always will be Adam’s recovery but we are deeply concerned that any steps towards justice for him are not hindered in any way. It is vital that needless barriers do not arise towards a court of law hearing the facts about this horrific crime that nearly took him from us.

“We will continue to support Adam in any way we can and hope and pray that nobody else has to go through this living nightmare.”

Mr Pickles’ fight to wake up from his nine week coma has been hampered by a serious infection.

However, the father-of-one, who grew up in Riddlesden , continues to battle through set-backs - even attempting to remove some of his treatment tubes, a possible sign his awareness is improving, his friends said.

He remains in hospital at Leeds General Infirmary.

Meanwhile campaigners are pressing ahead with fundraising efforts to cover his care costs, which have reached £123,000 and are expected to rise with legal and rehabilitation bills. The current fundraising total stands at £78,500.