Two thugs left a disabled man with a fractured cheek bone after ‘brutally and viciously’ jumping him outside a chip shop.
Johnathan Morris suffers from Noonan Syndrome, a rare genetic condition, and lives with a number of learning difficulties.
The 27-year-old reportedly thought he was meeting friends when he arrived at the restaurant but was punched in the face and repeatedly kicked and stamped on while lying on the floor.
A family member has claimed the ‘brutal and disgusting’ attack was ‘planned’ by an acquaintance Johnathan was involved in a disagreement with at the pub a couple of nights before the attack.
He was rushed to hospital where X-rays revealed he had suffered a fractured cheek bone, swollen eye and a severe concussion.
Defenceless Jonathan was subjected to a sustained five minute assault and had to crawl to the aid of a bus driver who called the police.
The community has rallied around the footie-mad victim, including getting a free season ticket from his beloved Bolton Wanderers, where he regularly attends matches dressed as the club mascot Lofty the Lion.
Johnathan's sister-in-law Sasha Hamilton, 28, said she was left traumatised after seeing his bloodied face while he was screaming and shouting in agony.
She fears the 'disgusting thugs' robbed Johnathan of the trust and independence he had worked so hard to gain over the years, and he is now too afraid to leave the house.
Sasha said: "I am beyond disgusted, I feel sick and I feel angry that they put him through so much pain.
"It was so traumatic to see him so bloody and in so much pain. He was so agitated after the attack, he was screaming and shouting.
"It's so heart-breaking because it took us so many years to make him feel confident and become independent.
"He's lost all the trust and he's been robbed of it. Now he doesn't want to leave the house because he's so scared."
The brutal attack was captured by CCTV outside the Olympus fish and chip shop in Bolton, at around 10pm on August 1.
Sasha, who is Johnathan's appointed adult, said she hopes he can feel safe again as he is the 'kindest man' she knows.
The mum-of-three said: "I can't understand why they would target him, he doesn't deserve this. He's the kindest man I know.
"As a family we just need to stay strong for him. We want to help him and make him feel safe again and confident enough to regain his independence."
Greater Manchester Police has been approached for comment.
