The heartbroken family of a Sikh leader who was left for dead after being attacked in the Northern Quarter said that the assault has 'left an ever bleeding wound' on their hearts. Avtar Singh, 62, suffered life-changing brain injuries after being knocked out by stranger Claudio Campos, in Tib Street, on June 23.
Campos, 28, was jailed for three years at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (Thursday October 6) after pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm upon Mr Singh. During the sentencing hearing, members of Mr Singh's family read moving victim impact statements to the court.
His wife Navinder said that she recently had to spend their 37th wedding anniversary visiting Mr Singh in hospital, where he has remained for the past three-and-a-half months. "Each day since that fateful night, I have cried 1,000 tears for the husband and father I no longer recognise," she said.
READ MORE : Chilling footage shows thug attack Sikh leader before strolling away, leaving him lying in the street
Mrs Singh also told the court that Mr Singh has lost sight in one of his eyes as a result of the incident. "The last things he saw in clarity was a monster who did not give him a fighting chance," she added. "A coward who attacked him with such force that he cannot leave his hospital bed."
Mr Singh was attacked as he walked home from work, using the same route that he had for the past 30 years. After the assault, Campos calmly left the scene and later went for a beer with his girlfriend.
When police carried out a warrant at his home in Ladybarn Lane, Fallowfield, following a successful public appeal for information, on September 7, officers noticed that he had a fully packed suitcase and believed that he was preparing to leave.
Daughter Surinder told Campos that she now feels guilty for not picking him up on the night of the incident and accused him of 'hiding' between the attack and his arrest.
“I think of you as nothing but a thug," she said. "You hid like a coward for three months.”
Another one of his daughters, Sukhveer added: "I hope every time you look at your hands you see the blood of my father as you held him down on the ground."
In a joint statement issued through Greater Manchester Police (GMP) after the hearing, Mr Singh's family said: "When our dad came to this country over 30 years ago, he never imagined that he would be the subject of such a heinous attack which has left him bed bound and in hospital for as long as he has been. As a family, we are truly heartbroken and still struggle to come to terms with the reality of his future and the truth behind this crime.
"He didn't do anything to deserve this situation where he has permanently damaged his sight and lost complete mobility down his right side. Although we will never get the strong powerful man, who is the light of our lives back, we are satisfied with the result given by the court today.
“Avtar is a truly brilliant, gentle and kind human being who has spent his whole life looking after everyone around him. He is a tremendous father, a hardworking husband and the most amazing priest who has served communities for generation after generation.
“This attack hasn't just left an ever bleeding wound on our hearts, it's scarred an entire community who knew him to be the man he was and now isn't. We are grateful for the support that people have continued to provide and the justice that Greater Manchester Police have sought for our family.
“Sadly, our fight does not end today as we continue to watch Avtar fight to gain back a quality of life that will see him through recovery. We know now that we will never feel as safe as we once thought we were walking through the city centre in Manchester, given this situation was as unprovoked as it was brutal.
“Our dad came to this country to work hard and teach others to preach kindness and move past any hatred in their hearts. It's a true shame this person left an elderly man for dead in the middle of the street. The law has fought part of our battle today but we will never be able to piece back the strength and the happiness that our dad was so amazingly built upon.”
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury, of GMP's City of Manchester CID, added: “This was a horrific attack of a much loved family member and community leader which deeply shocked the public.
“I hope today’s verdict gives Mr Singh’s family some relief that the person who has harmed their husband and father has now faced justice and will be sent to prison.
“I would like to thank the public for their help with our investigation and our thoughts are very much with Mr Singh, we hope he is able to return home soon”.
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