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Billy Leeson |
Family’s joy as musician Billy wakes from coma
Rising star is moved out of intensive care after three weeks
THE girlfriend of a teenage musician who was at “death’s door” after being beaten in Camden Town has spoken of her relief as he came out of a coma.
Billy Leeson, the singer for up-and-coming Indie band Les Incompetents, was knocked out and fractured his skull after being attacked in Camden Road on his way home from a gig on June 22.
Billy, who lives in Brecknock Road, and was assaulted yards from his house, spent three weeks in intensive care at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, following a delicate life-saving operation in which part of his skull was removed to relieve pressure in his brain.
On Thursday there was a sign that the worst may be over when Billy was moved from intensive care to a neurosurgery unit – and recovered consciousness.
Yesterday (Wednesday) Billy’s girlfriend Ellie Bradshaw spoke of her relief that her boyfriend, who was a student at Camden School For Girls’ mixed sixth form, was on the mend.
She said: “It has been a hard few weeks – but we are hopeful now he is out of intensive care.
“He is doing very well, and is walking around. I asked him if he knew what had happened and he said he just doesn’t remember a thing about it.”
Neurosurgeons at the Free operated for five hours to remove a piece of skull that was pressing into the singer’s brain – which lead to swelling. At this point his brother Stan warned fans that Billy could either pass away or be in a coma for some time.
Ms Bradshaw added: “We don’t know how long he will be in hospital for – it’s something the doctors have said they can’t predict. But he is talking, and every day is getting better.”
And Billy’s mother Helena Leeson described her relief at the early improvements.
She told the New Journal: “Even I didn’t realise how bad Billy was until he began to recover. He really was at death’s door.
“He is doing remarkably well since he came around considering what he has been through. He has started walking but it’s quite difficult for him to move about at this stage but he is getting the movement back in his legs.
“He is doing really well which is a tribute to his youth and good health.”
His brother Stan, who in the days following the attack had warned fans to prepare themselves for the worst, said he was thrilled that his brother seemed to be on the road to recovery.
He told the band’s website: “Bill has now come round and is walking and talking, so things are looking a lot better. Hopefully he should be fit and well fairly soon. Naturally he and his family appreciate the support and kind comments.”
A Royal Free spokeswoman said Billy had left intensive care on Thursday.
“He is physically well and has been walking in the ward so it’s still steady but slow progress,” she said.
Billy is to remain in hospital where he will receive further assessments and physiotherapy.
An Australian man who has been charged with the attack appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on Monday.
Christian Taylor Briggs, 30, who lives in Haringey will return on September 25 to Snaresbrook Crown Court to enter his plea. |
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