A STUDENT has told how he spent six days on a life support machine after thugs left him for dead.

John Lawson released pictures of himself lying critically ill at South Tyneside District Hospital following the attack on Saturday, May 5.

The 27-year-old was beaten minutes after leaving friends outside the Greyhound Pub, in Hedworth Lane, Jarrow, at 3.50am, following a night out in Newcastle.

Detectives believe the attack, which left Mr Lawson with a fractured cheekbone, swelling to the brain and extensive bruising on his body, was motivated by robbery.

Now recovering at his Jarrow home, Mr Lawson, who is studying building surveying at Northumbria University, spoke of his ordeal.

He said: "All I can remember is that I had been out in Newcastle. I can't remember the attack at all.

"I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was just unlucky. Now it has happened, I have got to get through it and get on with it."

His father, David Lawson, who lives in Abu Dhabi, returned to be at his son's bedside.

"It was horrendous seeing him lying in hospital like that," he said. He was unrecognisable. It's something you just don't expect to see."

He has appealed for anyone who saw the attack to contact police on 08456-043-043.