DETECTIVES investigating a brutal attack that left a father with half a skull previously arrested and bailed 22-year-old man, it has emerged.

Lee Crane was beaten up and stamped on by four men outside his mother's house in Starkie Road, Tonge Moor, on April 2 after they had approached him and asked him about his smartphone.

The 33-year-old supermarket worker suffered a bleed on the brain and needed part of his skull removed and continues to suffer memory loss while recovering at home.

A renewed appeal for witnesses and information was aired on BBC's Crimewatch Roadshow on Monday (June 27) with Bolton division's Detective Inspector Charlotte Cadden providing viewers with an update on the savage attack.

It now transpires a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm on April 28 and was bailed until August 2 pending further enquiries.

Det Insp Cadden said today: "This is an absolutely devastating situation for Lee to find himself in, after he previously had a happy family life and job, but now his road to recovery from these injuries is sadly going to be a very long and painful one.

"We are providing Lee with as much support as we can and our enquiries to identify all those involved in this senseless attack against him, which has cost Lee so dearly, remains very much ongoing.

"We now believe that Lee’s Samsung Galaxy A5 phone in white, which has never been recovered, was the possible motive for this attack and we are asking for anyone that has been offered this phone or knows where it is, to please get in touch with us. The screensaver on the phone is a picture of Lee’s 4-year-old daughter.

"If you have seen or heard anything that you think may be linked to this case, please get in touch so we can find the people responsible for causing such life changing injuries to this young man."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bolton officers on 0161 856 5761 or alternatively Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.