Man suffers from seizures following attack while criminals are not dealt with as promised

THE wife of a man left in a coma after he confronted a gang of youths has criticised a drive to encourage have-a-go heroes as `hot-air'.Jean Carroll, whose husband Phil suffered a blood clot to his brain following the attack in May 2005, said politicians promised to act at the time. But nothing has been done.She spoke out after Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced a review of the law to reassure people they can use reasonable force to stop and detain criminals.

Mrs Carroll said: "This needs looking at but they said that two years ago when this happened and still nothing has happened."Her husband spent 18 days in a coma following the attack outside their home in Higher Broughton.Seizures He is back home but still struggles with his health, suffering five seizures last month.A 16-year-old jailed for the attack was freed last year.Jean said: "I have no confidence in politicians at all.

They talk about what they're going to do but nothing gets done at all."Phil had five more seizures in August and each one sets him back. Everything has been taken away, even his job. He's not allowed to drive or go out for a pint, but the scum who did this is back on the streets."

A top Manchester lawyer described Jack Straw's move as `a good bit of politicking'.And a senior police officer in Manchester said: " Anything that encourages people to stand up for what's right is a good thing and is to be applauded. But I'm not sure you can change the law."