A PENSIONER has spoken of a cowardly attack which left him bloodied and battered.

Father-of-four John McManus is also having to cope with the death of his 49-year-old son, Steven.

Steven, who died on Monday, was suffering from cancer, but is said to have died from a heart attack.

Mr McManus, aged 67, said: “We were really close, and I am really upset at the moment. He looked up to me and I only saw him last Sunday and he passed away on Monday.

“He had a heart attack, and I think the attack on me could have brought it on.”

Mr McManus was punched and kicked when walking to his home in Garnett Street, Ramsbotom, from the Fusiliers pub in Bolton Road West on Sunday, April 21.

He suffered a suspected broken nose and had his wallet containing £200 stolen. He said: “I have been going to the pub for a long time, and I always walk home the same way through the shortcut.

“It did shake me up. I have to look over my shoulder now and I haven’t been out much since.”

He had been at the pub all night and left at around 1am after attending a regular karaoke session with friends.

Mr McManus was attacked as he walked along an alley between Garnett Street and Dundee Lane, where a man approached him and demanded his money. Mr McManus said: “I felt his arms round my throat and my neck. He had a dirty fleece on, and all I could see was his eyes. He just came from behind. I think he saw me in the Fusiliers when I had my wallet out and he must have seen me put it back in my pocket because he knew which pocket it was when he took it.”

Mr McManus has lived in Garnet Street for 19 years, next door to his twin brother, James.

He managed to make it home and phone the ambulance and the police, but he could not wake his brother but another neighbour came out to help him, before he was taken to hospital for treatment .

“My face was battered and bruised, my eyes were a bloody mess and I could hardly see out of them. I get headaches now and then but it is getting better,” Mr McManus said.

“When I feel up to it I will go out, I won’t let it drive me down but I just hope it doesn’t happen to anyone else.

“Next time somebody could be killed.”

Police say the attacker ran off towards Dundee Lane. He he was around 6ft tall, with black hair, and had been wearing a grey coat and hood.

Det Con Daniel Whitaker, from Bury Police, said: “This was a violent robbery which has left this man with nasty injuries to his face.

“If you were in the area at the time and saw the incident or a man running through the alleyway towards Dundee Lane I would urge you to call police.”

Anyone with information should call 0161 856 8136 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.