CRIMEWATCH is to stage a reconstruction of a brutal attack which left a father-of-three from New Addington with devastating head injuries.
Gary Hayward, 29, was hit with baseball bats and metal poles while trying to protect his father from a gang of youths in Central Parade on October 2 in 2011.
He is now permanently blind in at least one eye, is unable to talk and requires full-time care in a specialist rehabilitation centre.
The gang believed to have attacked Gary are said to have run through the streets bragging about "killing a man" in the minutes after the attack.No one has been charged and the police investigation has met with a wall of silence from the community.
This evening (Thursday) BBC's Crimewatch will stage a reconstruction of the attack in hope of encouraging witnesses to come forward.
Gary's family have been asked not to speak to the press before the program is aired later this month.
Zowey Hayward, Gary's sister, told the Advertiser on the anniversary of the attack: "We thought Gary was liked in New Addington, that lots of people adored him.
"But no one is stepping up for him because they are scared of a bunch of children. People need to be as brave as he has been and speak out.
"We just want someone to come forward and tell the police who did this.
"Gary tried to save his dad but at the moment it feels like everything he has been through has been in vain.
"Gary was ambushed after he came to the aid of his father John, 54, who had been confronted by the 30-strong gang as he made his way to the shops on Central Parade shortly before 8.45pm.
Following the attack that left him in a coma, Gary was taken to King's College Hospital where he underwent a procedure to remove a blood clot from his brain.
After two weeks he appeared to be making a recovery. Though he had lost his sight in his left eye doctors still hoped they could restore vision in his right. He could talk and recognise his three young children.
But in November he fell out of bed while in Princess Royal University Hospital, Bromley, and his condition deteriorated.
He was taken back to King's for an operation to remove fluid from his brain, a procedure which involved the use of a cerebral shunt.Since then he has been "asleep", his brain having shut itself down due to the trauma.
He is now receiving full time care in a neuro rehabilitation centre.
To read more about Gary's story click here.
