Man charged following serious assault in Tilehurst

A man was charged in connection with a serious assault in Tilehurst in the early hours of Sunday morning (April 21).

Craig Leighton, 26, from Coombe Road, Reading, has been charged with one count of section 18 wounding with intent and is set to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court this morning (Monday).

The victim, a 52-year-old man from Tilehurst, remains in the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford in a critical condition.

Police were called at 12.25am to reports of a fight outside the Prince of Wales pub in the Triangle, Tilehurst, involving up to 20 people.

On arrival, police discovered the victim being treated by paramedicsfor a serious head injury. He was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital and then transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Detective Superintendent Chris Ward, investigating the incident, said: "The investigation is at an early stage, however it appears the victim was attacked outside the pub and as a result is seriously ill in hospital.

"There were a lot of people in the area at the time of the assault and I would urge them, or anyone with any information about the incident, to contact me."

Det Supt Ward can be contacted on 101.