My husband was left brain damaged by three teen thugs…when one walks out of jail I want to be the first thing he sees
A WOMAN whose husband was battered into a coma by three teenage thugs has vowed to be the first person they see when they’re released from prison.
Alan Willson suffered “life-changing brain injuries” after the brutal attack by brothers Archie and George Tilley, and pal Harry Furlong, in a park near his home on Easter Sunday last year.
The trio, aged 16, 14 and 18 respectively, beat the 47-year-old with a 3ft wooden log as he came to the aid of an 11-year-old boy being bullied in Worthing, West Sussex.
More than a year later and he still unable to walk or talk and has “no mental capacity”.
The Tilley siblings, who were said to be “ringleaders”, were sentenced to 12 years behind bars for GBH with intent.
But Furlong was found guilty of GBH without intent and got off with a 20-month term, of which he was due to serve half in custody.
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It means the lad could be released as early as the end of the month – and Alan’s wife Annie wants to be the first face he sees when he’s freed.
The 51-year-old told The Mirror: “When he walks out that jail, I want to be the first thing he sees.
“I need to face him for my own peace of mind. No judge, no jury, just me and him.
“I need that closure and to get all the truth out of him, as I’m sure he held things back.
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“I can’t believe he could be getting out so soon. It’s sickening.
“I want all of them to know no matter where they are, I will not be far behind.”
Annie also paid tribute to her husband, whom she now cares for full time, describing him as “the nicest man ever”.
She added: “I worship the ground he walks on.
“He was the nicest man ever. He still is.
“I miss his stupid sense of humour, his high-pitched laugh, his constant ‘I-love-yous’.”
The mum previously told how her family’s life had been “turned upside down” followed the frenzied attack at Longcroft Park on April 4, 2021.
She said Alan is unable to play with his children, has hearing problems and cannot go to the toilet by himself.
Lewes Crown Court last year heard how the dad was pushed over by one of the teens – then aged just 13, 14 and 17 – in a row over a frisbee.
He was then “whacked” with a 3ft log – causing a “loud crack” as his ribs broke.
The trio were later caught on CCTV at a railway station re-enacting the evil battering less than an hour later while attempting to impress a group of girls.
A dog walker told police the attack first “sounded like someone getting beaten up or hurt” then “like someone being murdered”.
Paramedics rushed to the scene following the 7.30pm horror but were unable to recognise Alan as being an adult.
He had been left with bruising and bleeding on the brain, and fractures to his skull, eye sockets, jaw and ribs.
His family were told not to expect that he would survive, but keen snowboarder Alan pushed through several days in a coma and three months in hospital.
The Tilleys smirked and flicked the finger as they entered court to be sentenced, and also smiled throughout their hearings.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: “This was a horrific crime and our sympathies remain with Mr Willson and his family.
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“Sentencing is a matter for independent judges and no decision has been made about whether Harry Furlong will be released on home detention curfew.
“Those who are released face strict conditions which, if broken, can mean they are recalled to prison.”