A FATHER-of-three from Radcliffe is trying to rebuild his shattered life after an horrific gang beating left him with serious brain injuries.

Jeff Cooke, aged 26, has had to learn how to walk and talk again and will never be able to return to his job as a tree surgeon.

He will have to wait five years to discover the full extent of his injuries.

Today, his wife Emma branded the thugs who were jailed for the attack as "animals" and said it is a miracle her husband of two years is still alive.

Mr Cooke had been walking home with a female friend after a night out with mates when an argument broke out with a group of men in front of the Royal Oak pub, in Radcliffe. They then attacked him, continually kicking him as he lay in the street.

Mrs Cooke, aged 24, of Belgrave Street, Radcliffe, said: "It was very vicious. They behaved like animals.

"Jeff was knocked unconscious straight away but they carried on kicking him and stamping on his head."

She added: "Witnesses say he was kicked from one side of the road to the other."

Mr Cooke was taken to Fairfield General Hospital, in Bury, with serious head injuries.

He spent 15 days fighting for life in intensive care and doctors did not think he would survive. His wife said: "Doctors were amazed at his recovery. It was like a miracle."

He was well enough to be discharged from hospital seven weeks later, but the physical and emotional scars remain.

He cannot remember anything about the attack, which happened in March last year, suffers from dizzy spells, is unsteady on his feet and has a poor memory.

David Michael Graham, aged 24, of Hacking Street, Lower Broughton, was jailed for seven years and Scott Anthony Taylor, aged, 22, of Derbyshire Walk, Radcliffe, was sentenced to six years in jail on Monday following a trial at Bolton Crown Court. They were found guilty of assault.

Mrs Cooke had the harrowing task of giving evidence during the hearing.

She said: "I am pleased with the sentences -- they got what they deserved.

"But having to wait for the trial, it made things worse for the whole family. We had to keep reliving the nightmare over and over.

"It won't change what has happened. They didn't show any kind of remorse."

She added: "Now we just have to wait to see what the effect will be."

The couple are now trying to rebuild their lives with their three children Chloe, aged five, Ellie, aged six and three-year-old Joseph.

Mrs Cooke added: "They still don't know what happened to Jeff. I told them he was working away at the time he was in hospital."