19 June 2023 , 16:17
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Three teenage boys as young as 14 have been arrested after a father of four was ambushed and beaten with a piece of wood.
Nick Murray needed hospital treatment for horrific facial injuries after he was attacked during a bike ride in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, last week.
The keen cyclist had been riding home after volunteering with a homeless charity when he was set upon, and ended up having to stay overnight in hospital.
Doctors told him he had a small blood clot on his brain, as well as a broken nose and cheekbones and a gash to his eye.
Police have now questioned three boys aged 14 and 15 in connection with the incident.
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Mr Murray was left on the ground after the attack, before a group of fellow cyclists swooped to his aid.
Nick Murray was left with horrific facial and head injuries after being attacked with a piece of wood (Nick Murray)The 53-year-old dad told the Mirror he heard a gang of teens calling him names, and stopped to ask what they said when he was suddenly swung at with a piece of wood.
"It was completely unprovoked," he said.
"My injuries were so bad at first, my little girl wouldn't come near me which is very upsetting.
"I haven't been able to drive and can't eat properly. I'm terrified of going out on my bike now.
"I'm naturally a shy person and was bullied at school, so the whole thing has brought back a lot of bad feelings."
"Two of the boys, aged 15, were arrested on Saturday after information was provided by the public following an appeal," said a Gloucestershire Police spokesperson on Monday.
"A 14-year-old boy also handed himself in at a police station last night."
The dad-of-four's daughter Jasmine was afraid to come near him at first because of his injuries (Nick Murray)
Mr Murray has been unable to play with his daughter because he's in so much pain (Nick Murray)The spokesperson added: "The arrests are in connection with an incident on Somerford Road, Cirencester, on Tuesday evening (13 June) when a group of boys shouted at the victim and then hit him in the face with a piece of wood.
"This happened on the bridge over the A429 at around 7.15pm and left the victim with facial and head injuries which required treatment at hospital.
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"The three boys have since been released on bail with conditions which include not to associate with each other.
"The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police, or who has dashcam footage, is asked to make contact."
Doctors told Mr Murray he has a fractured nose, cheekbone, laceration to the eye and a small clot on the brain, and he will also now need dental work.
"I'm in pain every two hours and have had to take time off work," he added.
"I haven't been able to play with my daughter, Jasmine, because of the pain."