Published: Wednesday, 25th June, 2008 11:00
OUR BATTERED SON DIDN’T RECOGNIZE US
Print Article
THE victim of an alleged attempted murder — who suffered a fractured skull — was unable to recognize his parents when they arrived at the hospital.
The distraught mum and dad of the 18-year-old have told this week how the seriousness of their son’s injuries could mean he may never fully recover.
As well as the severe memory loss he has been left unable to speak properly and will need speech therapy.
They spoke to the Post this week to insist that their son is not a trouble maker or involved in gangs.
Fighting back tears the teenager’s father told the Post: “My son’s never been involved in gangs in his life and then this happens to him.
“He was just walking to the garage.
“I’ve been at the hospital all week and he can’t talk properly because of the injuries to his brain.”
His mum added: “Despite being almost nineteen, he had still sent me a text that night to ask if it was okay if he stayed out a bit later.
“I then phoned him straight away to say that he could as long as he was careful.
“We just can’t believe that this has happened.”
The alleged incident happened behind a property on the corner of Montrose Street and Warilda Avenue, Drumry, at around 4am on Saturday June 14.
A resident later kindly gave the teenager shelter and called an ambulance.
The teenager’s mum this week admitted that she “feared the worse” when the police officers arrived at her front door in the middle of the night to break the news to her.
She said: “When the police came to the door, that’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to me in my life.
“I was devastated when I found out because it’s not something that you expect to happen.
“The police had said that he had a head injury, but had not said how bad it was and when we got to the hospital he didn’t recognise me or his dad.
“The damage that has been caused has really affected him because he can’t count above about two and doesn’t remember people that he has spent time with every day of his life.
“The doctors are saying that this could last for anything up to four months, but they can’t guarantee that he will get back to his full self.”
His parents explained that their son had been working as a labourer and was hoping to land an apprenticeship in the building trade, a move which will now have to be put on hold.
He was released from the Southern General hospital on Friday after being treated for almost a week for his injuries, and will now need a speech therapist to aid his recovery.
His mum, from Drumchapel, added: “My son’s got a lot of friends from both Clydebank and Drumchapel and has never been in any trouble before, so any suggestion of gang involvement is wrong.
“His dad and I would just like to thank the people that pulled him to safety because if they had not come out and helped him then you don’t know what might have happened.”
Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the incident and appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week.
Robert McKelvie, 18, of Robert Burns Avenue, Drumry, and Nicholas Brannagan, 16, of Brown Avenue, Whitecrook, made no plea or declaration.
Brannagan was remanded in custody while McKelvie was granted bail.
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Pensioner dies in early morning fire