Dad dies after blow to head (From South Wales Argus)

Dad dies after blow to head

10:50am Wednesday 17th January 2007

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A GWENT family is grieving the loss of a "gentle" dad who died after suffering a massive head injury during a disturbance in a pub.

Father-of-two Martin Thorn, 40, formerly of Cwmtillery, spent three weeks drifting in and out of a coma before dying on Friday.

He suffered a blow to the back of the head during what police described as a "major disturbance" in a Bristol pub on December 22.

Mr Thorn leaves daughter Abby Thorn, 14 and step-daughter Jodie Maund, 22, as well as ex-partner Helena Maund who he was on "good terms"with. They live in Valley View Road in the house they shared with Mr Thorn for 17 years.

He also has a five week old son Jack and partner Sarah Thorn in Bristol, where he moved a couple of years ago.

Abby said she was shocked at losing her football-mad "gentle dad".

"He was a big softy, always so much fun - he just didn't want to grow up," she said.

"We had all his presents left unopened."

Mr Thorn was initially mobile and conscious, but his condition rapidly deteriorated within hours.

He was taken to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.

"They had to operate that night, and there were a further six operations over the next two weeks but he never regained conciousness," she said.

By Christmas Day the family knew he could well die. Doctors told them he suffered massive swelling of the brain and internal bleeding.

Mr Thorn died on January 12.

"We saw him the Tuesday before - his eyes seemed to flicker when we spoke to him,"said Jodie, who is six months pregnant.

"He was so looking forward to being a grandfather."

A funeral is planned in Bristol as soon as the body is released.

Avon and Somerset Police say Mr Thorn was hurt during a disturbance in the Three Tuns pub in Hotwells.

A spokesman said Mr Thorn's death was being treated as "potentially suspicious", pending further examinations by a pathologist.

*A 22-year-old local man was arrested and bailed pending further enquiries.

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