A GRANDMOTHER badly hurt in a savage attack is now too terrified to go out alone.

Rita Thornton's family believes the only way she can conquer her fear is if the attacker is caught and brought to justice.

And they believe a young couple who helped Rita moments after she was attacked could help the police inquiry.

Rita, 54, was struck over the head as she walked across Springwood car park near Springwood Street at about 8.30pm on Sunday, March 12.

She had been watching the St Patrick's Day parade through Huddersfield town centre that day and had been in the Olde Hatte pub before setting off for the short stroll home.

She suffered bruising to her brain and spent three days at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and a further three weeks confined to bed at her Springwood home, suffering severe headaches.

She is still suffering from headaches.

Rita suffered a blow to the back of her head, which she believes was caused by some kind of blunt weapon.

It left a small indentation in her skull.

Rita may have been hit again as she collapsed or she may have hit her head on the ground.

The attacker did not steal her phone or handbag, leaving Rita unsure if it was a robbery - the thief fled when the young couple passed by - or if it was a specific attack targeted at her.

She said: "I didn't hear anyone coming up behind me, but I suddenly felt this massive blow to the back of my head.

"I then felt a second blow just as I hit the ground."

Rita was knocked unconscious and came round moments later to find the young couple rushing to help her.

They took her to her home and she went to bed.

But in the morning her daughter, 30-year-old Rebecca Doyle, called round and found Rita in a terrible state.

She was dazed and confused and her bed was covered in blood.

She was taken to the Infirmary, where she had X-rays and a CT scan, which showed up the bruising to the brain.

Rita was also suffering from concussion.

She may also have suffered damage to her left ear and is due to return to the Infirmary for further investigations into this.

Her family cared for her at her home for the following three weeks and her sister, Margo, came over from Ireland to be with her all the time.

Doctors had told Rita it would take three weeks for the bruising to start to heal.

Rebecca and Rita's son, 34-year-old Dennis - along with the police - have all urged the young couple to come forward.

They may be vital witnesses.

Rita had received two threatening phone calls from an unknown man in the weeks before the attack. Anyone who can cast any light on the case is urged to contact police.

Rebecca, of Slaithwaite, said: "There may well have been people in the area at that time of night who saw what happened to my mum."

Dennis, of Linthwaite, said: "She doesn't go out alone now, not even to the corner shop.

"If the police can catch whoever did this maybe she can start to live normally again."

Rita said: "I recently walked past the spot where the attack happened with a friend and felt sick. My heart was really thumping."

When she was attacked Rita was wearing a three-quarter-length beige duffel coat and a distinctive black and white Guinness hat, with tiny pint-style corks dangling from it.

Det Con Russ Conlon, of Kirklees CID intelligence unit, said: "We would urge the couple who helped the victim to come forward, along with anyone else who may have information which could help this inquiry.

"CCTV cameras in the area have been checked and we have done house-to-house inquiries, alongside other ones."

Contact Pc Malcolm Cook via Huddersfield police helpdesk on 01484 436659.