'Gentle giant' returns home after attack

Published Monday, 04 March 2013
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An autistic teenager who was brutally attacked and left for dead in Lisburn has finally returned home after six months in hospital.

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Seventeen-year-old Scott Vineer spent three months in a coma after he was found in a critical condition at an abandoned furniture shop, 24 hours after he was reported missing.

It is believed the 6'3" teen was repeatedly kicked in the head by an unknown number of assailants as he made his way home from South Eastern Regional College, where he is a student.

Police described the incident last September as a "brutal, savage and senseless" attack on a "gentle giant".

Scott now uses a wheelchair due to the extensive injuries he received.

On Friday, neighbours, family and friends gathered outside Scott's home to greet him as he arrived after being discharged from hospital.

Helen Vineer, Scott's mother, said the family are over the moon to have him back.

"We didn't know whether we'd see this day and it's just great to have him home where he belongs," she told UTV.

"We love him to bits, we've missed him for six months.

"All the neighbours love him, he's a lovable giant, everybody loves him.

"He hasn't got an enemy in the world that we know of and I just don't understand why anyone could do this to him. Nobody can."

Scott will need to undergo intensive physiotherapy to continue his recovery. His family hope he will eventually be able to walk unaided.

Despite the trauma he has been through, Scott was in good spirits on his return and told UTV it was a "very special" day for him.

His mum appealed for anyone with information that could help the police investigation to come forward.

"Nobody should have to go through what he's been through," she said.

"Nobody knows why, nobody knows what happened, nobody's come forward, we've got no witnesses.

"It's been a long investigation because of that, but hopefully with a bit of luck we will find out who did it and they'll be punished, and we'll get justice."

© UTV News
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12 Comments
sean.d in belfast wrote (76 days ago):
good luck big fella .
DES in ARDS wrote (76 days ago):
I HOPE THE BIG FELLOW CAN GET OVER THIS QUICKLY AND GET ON WITH HIS LIFE, GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE FAMILY.
holly in belfast wrote (76 days ago):
exactly john , how can they sleep? they have no conscience !
Pol in Belfast wrote (76 days ago):
Good news story...hope they catch the neanderthals who almost murdered him.
Belfast in Belfast wrote (76 days ago):
I just hope and pray that this lovely fella makes a full recovery and the low life who did this are brpught to justice. There is no place in society for scum like that. Scott i wish you well.
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