Guernsey Press

Loving dad is left for dead after evil attack

A FAMILY has been left devastated after a vicious attack left a devoted father likely to be disabled for the rest of his life.

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A FAMILY has been left devastated after a vicious attack left a devoted father likely to be disabled for the rest of his life. Labourer Fred Lundon was left for dead outside North Side chip shop on Friday last week after what police believe was an unprovoked assault.

The 33-year-old's wife, Sharon, has spoken out against the thugs who left her husband with terrible head injuries from which he may never fully recover.

The couple have a two-year-old daughter, Sophie, who has been traumatised by what has happened.

Devastated Sharon Lundon, who suffers from polymyositis, a rare muscle-wasting disease, said that Fred was her crutch both physically and emotionally.

'I am very worried about the future for all of us and I don't know what is around the corner', said the 34-year-old.

'These thugs have not only left Fred with injuries that could leave him disabled but we now have nobody to support us financially.

'Because of my illness Fred does everything, from cooking to bathing our little girl when I am tired and feeling sick.

'I don't know how anyone could do this to him. He is the most laid-back person I know.

'He does not deserve this. What kind of animal would do this to a man who would give anybody his last penny?'

The couple met 10 years ago when Sharon was travelling around New Zealand.

She instantly fell for her Maori partner and they set up a new life together in his native country.

And in 2002, when she was expecting their first child, they agreed that they would bring up their baby in Guernsey where she also grew up.

'I was seven months pregnant and so excited at the thought of coming home to start a new life with Fred.

'We decided to return to Guernsey because I was born and brought up here and it was always such a safe environment.

'All my family are here and I am devastated that something like this could happen in Guernsey.

'This island is not the island I grew up in.

'I thought we would all be safe and now Fred is lying in a hospital bed with God knows what kind of long-term prospects.

'The doctors have warned us his personality could change. I feel so sad and angry that Sophie might never properly know her own father.'

Mrs Lundon, who manages to work part time in a bank despite her illness, said her husband had no enemies.

She added: 'Fred has fitted into life here well and I cannot think of anyone who would want to do this to him.

'When the police told me he had been hit I was shocked because he is such an incredibly strong man.

'Before we came over here he was a bushman working in the New Zealand forests and he does work most men couldn't.

'I know he wouldn't hit anyone and he is such a gentle husband and father.'

* Mr Lundon was last evening 'nice and stable on a normal ward', a spokesman for Southampton General Hospital said.

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