Steve is looking good thanks to titanium plate

20 November 2009

Steven Gater before surgery, with mum Nina

A YOUNG man who was left with half a head after being attacked by thugs has finally got a new skull.

Forklift driver Steve Gater, 26, of Farnham Road Harold Hill, was left brain damaged and with a disfigured half-skull after he was punched by two teenagers on his way home from work earlier this year.

His tragic story, broken exclusively by the Recorder, made headlines around the world after it was revealed the Crown Prosecution Service had dropped the case after deciding there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

The CPS was unwilling to elaborate on what further evidence was needed.

Last Thursday, November 12, Steve underwent an almost seven hour operation at Queen's Hospital Romford to have a titanium plate fitted where his forehead once was.

Mum Nina, 47, said: "He's a bit puffy at the moment but it's nice to see him with a forehead.

"Now it's a matter of building his confidence and making sure he feels secure. He had no protection before - his brain was just covered by skin."

Steve had been walking along Hilldene Avenue around 7.30pm on January 15 when it is believed the thugs started yelling out taunts about his cousin.

When Steve confronted the teenagers he was met with a punch that sent him flying, knocking his head on the pavement and putting him in a coma for the two weeks.

His brain quickly began swelling and doctors at Queen's Hospital removed the front half of his skull.

He now suffers seizures, has difficulty communicating and remembering, and has lost parts of his personality.

Nina, who is now also Steve's main carer, said: "We are disappointed with the way things have gone. It's all gone a bit stale at the moment. But we haven't left it and as far as I'm concerned the police were at fault from the beginning.