ANDY Smith, the young man who was viciously attacked in Stratford Road, Stroud last month is back home and recovering well after undergoing extensive facial reconstruction.

The 22-year-old, of Cashes Green, was on life support after the incident and his family kept a bedside vigil during his recovery.

The fractured bones in Andy's cheeks are now held in place with six titanium plates and 38 surgical screws.

He was discharged from Gloucestershire Royal Hospital last Friday, but said he can remember nothing of the attack.

"I'm still in pain but I'm doing fine," said the former Thomas Keble pupil.

"I asked my girlfriend what happened because I didn't have a clue - I was shocked and I'm a bit stressed out but I can't really do anything about it.

"I'm just going to rest up for a few days then start looking for a job."

Andy's mum Bonnie Constant said her son reacted very calmly when he was told about the incident, which happened at 2am on April 6.

"We thought he might get a bit upset but he was fine," she said.

"For some reason he thought he had been hit by a motorbike - we took him all the newspaper clippings so he could know as much as he could about what happened.

"I thought when he came out of surgery he would look a complete mess but he hasn't even got any scars.

"He has two little slits at the side of his eyes and they operated through the roof of his mouth.

"Physically he will be fine but we don't know how this will affect him psychologically."

A 17-year-old youth from Stroud was charged with grievous bodily harm with intent at Stroud Magistrates' Court on April 15, and was remanded in custody.

An 18-year-old, also from Stroud, has been arrested in connection with the incident and has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

* Anyone with information relating to the attack should call Gloucestershire police on 0845 0901234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting incident number 147 of April 6.

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