Family's two-year wait for justice over fatal attack in Doncaster

• Video report by Sarah Clark.

The mother of a man whose killer remains at large more than two years after he was fatally attacked on a night out says she feels she has "let him down".

Father-of-one John Smith, 40, had been out drinking with colleagues in Doncaster city centre when he was attacked in two separate unprovoked incidents on his journey home in July 2022.

He suffered a brain injury which ultimately led to his death in December 2023.

No-one has ever been charged.

His mother Delia Prudence said: "We got told the worst news that he was actually brain dead and there was nothing they could do so they just switched the machine off and that was it, he was gone.

"I just feel that I've let John down because I can't get any answers.

"It's like part of me has died. I'm just frustrated and heartbroken because there was no need for him to die.

"John didn't know either person. There was no discussions, there was no contact with each other, it just happened."

Mr Smith was first attacked on Silver Street. He was then assaulted by another person in what was believed to be an unrelated incident on Hall Gate.

Part of his skull had to be removed due to swelling on his brain. After 16 months he had a plate fitted to his skull and seemed to be making good progress.

However, he was found unresponsive a month later and was declared brain dead on 11 December 2023. He left behind daughter Robyn, who was eight at the time.

Mrs Prudence said: "Me and the family and his daughter especially, she's going to be asking questions when she gets older. She understands what's happened to a degree but she's only a child still and she's got to grow up without a real dad."

John's step-father Phillip Prudence said: "Every day you are just hoping he is going to walk through the door. He should be here now. But I don't know what ran through their minds when they did it.

"He was good as gold, he had a heart of gold."

A 26-year-old man was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the assault in Silver Street. He was later released on police bail pending further enquiries.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "Our investigation remains ongoing and we are considering various possible lines of enquiry.

"We would urge anyone with information to contact us."

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