Terrified Donald Smith changed from a happy-go-lucky father-of four to a paranoid reclusive after a life-threatening attack, writes Nick Evans.

Mr Smith's family say he jumped into the River Thames and drowned two days before a hearing on the assault case was due to begin at Oxford Crown Court yesterday. His body was found in the river on Saturday south of Sandford Lock.

His grieving mother, May Clarke, 80, of Moorbank, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, said after the attack, her son underwent a complete character change. She said: "He went from a happy-go-lucky person who used to sing and dance in the street to someone who couldn't stand any noise.

"I had to stop the chimes on the clock because the noise terrified him. After the attack he just went completely down hill."

Mr Smith's step-brother, Andrew Clarke, added: "He was the life and soul of the party. But he was not the man he used to be, this attack really changed him."

Divorced Mr Smith, of Moorbank, Blackbird Leys, suffered serious head injuries in the alleged assault, which happened in Jericho, Oxford, last September. A 24-year-old man was charged with grievous bodily harm and a trial was adjourned for six weeks yesterday.

Mrs Clarke said: "The last time I saw Donald he told me he was going for a walk. I tried to keep him here because he should not have gone out on his own. He just said 'I love you, mum'. That was the last I saw of him."

Story date: Tuesday 20 April

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