Dog walker left fighting for his life after woodland attack

A dad was left fighting for his life after being attacked as he walked his dog through Coventry woodland.



Martin Marshall, aged 58, was smashed on the back of the head with a 3ft branch by another dog walker.

He was left with a fractured skull and a potentially fatal bleed on the brain.

The brutal assault happened in Plants Hill Wood off Tile Hill Lane, in Tile Hill, at 4pm on Monday when one of his greyhounds started playing with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

That dog’s owner became agitated and grabbed the huge branch while Mr Marshall leaned over his dogs to protect them.

The attacker then smashed the branch into the back of Mr Marshall’s head.

Incredibly he walked home and fed his animals before wife Kathryn Marshall, 55, returned home and took him to University Hospital.

There he was diagnosed extensive bleeding on the brain – and doctors told his family that if he pulled through he could be left with permanent brain damage.

Since then his condition has improved slowly but he remains under close supervision in hospital.

After the incident was reported to them police scrambled the force helicopter and sniffer dogs to the scene but the attacker could not be found.

Now officers and Mr Marshall’s family are appealing for anyone with information about the attack to come forward.

Daughter Sinead Edom, 30, said: “For 48 hours it was life threatening. We had an active police presence because if he died this could have been a murder investigation.

“Doctors said he could slowly get better or his brain could start to swell again which could have been fatal.

“They couldn’t tell us if there would be any long term damage.

“We were living minute by minute. All that mattered was that my dad kept breathing.”

Mr Marshall was walking two foster greyhounds and three of the family’s when he was attacked.

Since the start of the year he and Kathryn have looked after more than a dozen greyhounds searching for a new home.

She said: “I’m not exaggerating when I say he would lay down his life for those dogs.

“His first instinct would be to protect them - he wouldn’t think about the consequences for him.

“I have no idea how he got those dogs back home and fed them. He started to deteriorate when I got home.”

When she got back Mrs Marshall, who works as a nurse, noticed that her husband had started to slur his words and was struggling to walk.

As soon as he arrived in hospital doctors realised how serious his condition was.

Since then Sinead, Kathryn and youngest daughter Josie Marshall, 28, have kept a constant presence at his bedside.

Det Insp Stuart Bell, of West Midlands Police CID, said: “The injury sustained by this man was particularly serious and he remains in hospital.

“I appeal to the public for their assistance in identifying the man involved in this incident. If anyone saw the altercation that left this man with such serious injuries, or has information to help the inquiry please do not wait to call us.”

The attacker is described as a white man aged in his late 20s to early 30s, around 6ft, of slim build and wearing brown clothing.

The dog he was walking was a black or chocolate brown Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Anyone with information should call Force CID in Coventry by dialling 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Tile Hill man man pleads not guilty to Plants Hill Wood dog walker attack



A man accused of attacking a dog walker in Coventry has pleaded not guilty.

Martin Marshall was walking his greyhounds through Plants Hill Wood, off Tile Hill Lane, Tile Hill, in November when he was attacked.

He was left with life-threatening injuries.

Shaun Browne, 28, of Dormer Harris Avenue, Tile Hill, appeared at the crown court in Leamington yesterday to enter a plea.

He spoke once during the hearing to deny a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

After the plea was entered prosecutor David Bennett asked for the matter to be adjourned for trial.

Ian Speed, defending, asked for a preliminary hearing to be arranged before any trial.

Addressing Browne’s bail, Mr Speed said: “There’s a condition of his current bail that says he doesn’t cross the A45 and come into Tile Hill area of the city. The problem is his accommodation is in Tile Hill, his parents are in Tile Hill.

“A condition that he doesn’t cross the A45 is quite difficult because it dissects the city.

“There’s only one witness, if there is a a condition that says he doesn’t approach that witness that would be a sensible alternative.”

Judge Charles Foster set a provisional two-day trial date starting on April 22.

Judge Foster added: “I’m going to set bail on the same terms as before, save I’m going to delete the condition that bans you from crossing the A45.”

The preliminary hearing will be held a fortnight before the provisional trial date.

Man accused of Tile Hill dog walker attack found not guilty

A man accused of attacking a dog walker with a huge branch has been found not guilty.

Shaun Browne, 29, was due to go on trial at the crown court in Leamington this week accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent following the incident in Plants Hill Wood, Tile Hill, last November.

But before the case could be started the prosecution decided to offer no evidence and Mr Browne, of Dormer Harris Avenue, Tile Hill, was formally found not guilty.

Before Mr Browne was found not guilty Judge Richard Griffith-Jones had queried the way police handled some evidence.

The court heard that the victim of the attack, Martin Marshall, had been shown a picture of Mr Browne before an identity parade was held.

Mr Browne had repeatedly said he had an alibi for the time of the attack.

Mr Marshall described the attacker’s dog as red or brown in colour. Mr Browne’s dog was black.

Mr Marshall was walking his greyhounds last November when he was attacked following an altercation with another dog walker.

The Telegraph later reported how he managed to walk home and feed his animals before being rushed to hospital with a serious head injury.