Boiler suit is vital clue in hunt for Whinney Banks baseball bat attacker

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Whinney Banks assault victim Gerard James Williams

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A boiler suit, like the one worn by an attacker who bludgeoned a Teesside dad with a baseball bat is the latest hope in a police appeal to identify the criminal.

Cleveland Police has released an image of a boiler suit similar to the one worn by the attacker in the hope that this will help identify the assailant.

CCTV footage of the assault has also emerged as police yesterday confirmed that all six people arrested in connection with the case have now been released without charge.

Dad-of-three Gerard Williams, of Whinney Banks, remains in hospital almost six months after the brutal assault which left him with a fractured skull, arms and legs.

He was found on the night of Thursday, January 30, close to a path at the junction of Acklam Road and Weatherhead Avenue. He had been hit between 20 and 30 times.

Detective Inspector Mark Dimelow described how Gerard’s attacker, believed to be a man, got out the passenger side of a blue, 53 plate, Renault Mégane wearing a balaclava and boiler suit and holding a baseball bat.

The masked man then launched into a vicious attack on Mr Williams who was sitting on a nearby bench.

Det Insp Dimelow said: “This was a sustained attack working up from his legs to his head causing fractures throughout his body.

“He was left severely beaten on the floor, the offender walks off and then thinks actually, I want to assault this male some more. So he comes back again and he attacks Gerard again. Again working throughout his body.”

Mr Williams was found in the street at 7.45pm and taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough by ambulance.

The 42-year-old was put into an induced coma at the hospital.

He has since been brought out of his coma but is still being treated in hospital.

Det Insp Dimelow believes that this was a targeted attack and believes people in Whinney Banks hold the key to finding the person responsible.

The detective also said that he does not think anyone else is in danger, and he believes Mr Williams knew his attacker.

Investigators have previously said they have been left disappointed with the response from the public after appealing for information.

Posters were put up on lampposts and in shops to encourage more people to contact them.

Anyone who has information should contact Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”