Beaten man conscious

A Palmerston North man who needed surgery on his skull after a vicious beating is conscious and talking but has no memory of the attack.

Landscaper Jonathan Thompson, 23, was walking alone on the Church St side of The Square on Sunday morning when he was attacked by a group of people. About 2.30am he was found in a gutter near the Turkish Delight takeaway shop with severe head injuries.

After surgery in Palmerston North, Mr Thompson was flown to Wellington Hospital for more surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.

Mr Thompson's grandfather, Peter Dellabarca, said he had been taken out of intensive care and was progressing well. "I went down to see him [on Monday] and he was out of his coma. He was a bit crook and tired. I spoke to him for about five minutes ... he said he couldn't remember a thing."

Mr Dellabarca said it would be out of character for Mr Thompson to instigate a fight.

Mr Thompson's parents were with him in Wellington, and he had been visited by his girlfriend.

Family friend Teri Maaka said Mr Thompson underwent a CT scan yesterday because he was suffering from painful headaches.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Sheridan said investigations into the violent attack were ongoing.

He was confident the matter would be resolved.

- © Fairfax NZ News