EIGHT years ago Charlie Little was fighting for his life after a brutal unprovoked attack left him in a coma.

The father-of-four was beaten unconscious as he walked home from the Cherokee Club in west Hull on New Year's Eve in 2001 and left for dead in the road.

He suffered a stroke due to the ferocity of the attack and doctors at Hull Royal Infirmary told his family, who kept a bedside vigil, he would not survive the night.

But today, against the odds, the former lorry driver, who has been left paralysed down one side of his body, is celebrating his 60th birthday on the beach in Tenerife.

Not only did Mr Little survive, he also learnt to walk again – something he was told he would never do.

And as well as rebuilding his life and adjusting to living in a wheelchair Mr Little has travelled the world.

He said: "I was never supposed to reach my 60th birthday, I was never supposed to last the night.

"Then I was told I would never get out of my bed, or chair, but I've defied everyone.

"I'm doing much better then expected, and although the attack totally ruined my life I'm determined to make the most of life."

Following the attack Mr Little moved to an adapted house in west Hull and after four years got an adapted car.

He does not have use of the right side of his body, so has a carer who visits daily to help him wash, dress and eat.

Mr Little was awarded compensation for his attack, and is using the money to "live life to the full".

As reported in the Mail at the time, five people, including Lee Craig Norrie, Darren Myers, Mark Bolan Temple and Rory Patrick Gilligan, admitted violent disorder and were all given a community order.

The five had originally faced the more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

But the Crown dropped the allegations after witnesses changed their accounts shortly before a trial was due to begin.

A youth who could not be named for legal reasons also admitted violent disorder and was sentenced to a ten-month training and detention order.