A pensioner whom a judge said had been left looking like a prison-camp victim after a brutal gang attack is finally out of hospital and starting to rebuild his shattered life.

Retired roofer Keith Alder was struck with a baseball bat and repeatedly kicked in the front garden of the home in Great Horton he shared with his wife.

He spent almost eight months in hospital where he had both legs amputated, lost six and a half stone, had circulation problems, a lacerated kidney, had his small bowel removed and got suspected pneumonia.

Mr Alder’s wife Kath said their lives had been ripped apart after the attack and that they would never be able to continue living in the home where they had happily raised their three sons.

Mr Alder, a fishing enthusiastic, has never returned to the house and the day he left hospital he moved straight into a new home in Queensbury.

Mrs Alder said: “Keith could never have gone back to Sowden Street. We’re very happy up here, it’s brilliant. We’ve got a walk-in shower and a ramp for Keith.

“He’s adapting to his new life. He’s not too happy in his wheelchair because he doesn’t like being pushed, but he’s got a scooter now so he can be independent. We’re hoping to get a motability car soon so we can start going out on the kind of days out we used to enjoy so much.”

Mrs Alder said her husband was making good progress in his continued recovery.

She said: “Keith’s doing well. He’s on the mend slowly but surely. Moving to a new home is a good start to us rebuilding our lives.”

The 66-year-old had been walking home from a charity event at the Fat Pot club, Great Horton, on the night of October 22 last year when he was set upon.

A Slovakian man, aged 34, has since been jailed for 15 years for his part in the attack. A 22-year-old man, also accused of being involved, is due to stand trial at Bradford Crown Court on September 10.