THE family of a York man who died after being assaulted in the street have spoken of their pain at his loss.

In a joint statement, relatives of 50-year-old Keith Wright said: “We are heartbroken and struggling to come to terms with what has happened.

“We just feel numb with the pain of losing Keith and this will be with us for the rest of our lives.

“The family is doing its best to stay strong for each other and we are very grateful for the kind support from our friends, the hospital staff and the police at this very difficult time.”

Flowers have been left at the scene of the brutal attack, at the corner of Fairfax Court and Acomb Road, which left Mr Wright with critical injuries.

He died in Leeds General Infirmary on Thursday morning.

He had been on life support since the assault, which had happened ten days earlier. An inquest into his death has yet to be opened.

Two people – Liam Matthew Wyard, 19, formerly of Acomb Road, Acomb, and now of no fixed address, and a 16-year-old, from west York who cannot be named for legal reasons – have been charged with unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

However, police said they were now working with the Crown Prosecution Service to re-examine the joint charge in light of Mr Wright’s death.

It is understood prayers will be said for Mr Wright at churches in the area this weekend.

The Rev Peter Horsley, of St Stephen’s and St Aidan’s Church in Acomb, said Mr Wright and his family would be in the prayers of the congregation there.