Football theory over attacked man

Mr Howe was attacked after Swindon's game with Leicester

Police think Swindon football fans may have mistaken a man they attacked for a rival supporter.

Paul Howe had crossed Gladstone Street last Saturday when he was hit on the body six times with an iron bar, then punched and kicked to the ground.

The 33-year-old has been in intensive care at the Great Western Hospital, Swindon since and will be on a dialysis machine for several weeks.

Police said Swindon's match against Leicester finished before the attack.

Detective Inspector Adrian Davis said: "This was a cowardly attack by a group of thugs on a defenceless male.

"I am aware that Swindon Town's match against Leicester City had ended a short while before and that there were a number of people in the area making their way home.

"I know that there were some incidents of disorder following the game. I have a theory that the victim was mistaken for a Leicester City supporter and attacked by a group of people intent on assaulting a rival fan, but I am keeping an open mind."