THE parents of a young man who was savagely beaten in Sherdley Park have today appealed for anyone with information about the shocking attack to contact police.

The victim, 18-year-old Craig Rooney, was set upon by a large gang of youths near to the pets corner area of the park during the evening of Thursday May, 22.

Craig, who had been in the park with his friends flying a model helicopter when he was attacked, suffered serious head injuries and required emergency surgery.

After several weeks fighting for his life in hospital, Craig has shown encouraging signs of progress in the past week as his condition has stabilised.

He is no longer in the intensive care unit at Walton Neurological Centre.

Today (Tuesday) Craig's father Shaun Rooney, and his mother, Sylvia Alderton released a statement via the police in which they said: "Craig is loving, caring and a conscientious teenager. Family and friends have been devastated by the unnecessary, senseless and unprovoked attack on him.

"If any person or parents have any information regarding the attack we appeal as parents for any information to be passed to the police so that the offenders can be brought to justice."

Shaun and Sylvia described Craig as a 'hard-working young man'.

He is serving an apprenticeship as a mechanical engineer for a company in Kirkby, whilst also working as a chef at the Hillcrest Hotel in Widnes most evenings and weekends.

Craig is a former pupil at Wade Deacon High School, in Widnes, where he was a popular student and achieved 12 GCSEs. Teachers from the school have visited him at the hospital to offer support.

Immediately following the incident, Merseyside Police set up a major incident room at St Helens CID, where a team of detectives dedicated to the inquiry have been working under the guidance of a senior investigating officer.

Police have also been working with staff from various specialist departments across the force area and the Crown Prosecution Service in an effort to progress the investigation.

Police have made 11 arrests in connection to the incident. All have been bailed while detailed enquiries, including forensic analysis, are continuing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident who has not yet come forward is asked to ring the Major Incident Room on 0151 777 1507 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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