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A paratrooper has died after being assaulted during a night out with friends.
Rory McWilliams, 20, died of his injuries on the day he was due to begin his first tour of Afghanistan.
The Army medic with the Parachute Regiment, was attacked by two men in the early hours of February 6 and suffered a serious brain injury.
He was rushed to hospital where he remained in a critical condition for six days before dying on Saturday.
The young soldier's family have paid tribute to him as a hero and appealed for witnesses to the violent attack to come forward.
His mother, Christine Akintoye, said: 'Prison is too good for the low-lives who did this.
'Paratroopers are so rare out there so paratroopers who are medics are like gold dust.
'You prepare yourself for something like this happening in Afghanistan but it's shocking that he can end up like that after a night in Northampton.'
Rory's brother Matthew McWilliams, a Royal Marine, added: 'I know 100 per cent there were two innocent bystanders who would have seen the assault.
'They went to see if he was okay and once I arrived I told them they could go. They were probably very shocked.'
Rory, from Northampton was attacked in a car park behind a Domino's Pizza fast rood restaurant in his home town at 2.30am on February 6.
His brother Matthew found him lying on the floor and he was rushed to Northampton General Hospital.
His brain injuries were so severe that he was transferred to specialists at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital where he died on Saturday afternoon.
A Facebook tribute site set up in Rory's memory has already been joined by hundreds of his friends. It is believed the soldier had a young daughter named Ruby.
Friend Tasha Cook wrote: 'Love u rorz, I'll look after our princess she's gonna have everything and she'll make u proud, your the best daddy in the world.
'I wish I could just have one more cuddle, your so amazing you were my one in a million no one will ever replace you!
'Me and ruby Love you so so so much. This still doesn't feel real, my rorys gone, sweet dreams, I'll look after our angel she's gonna be a diamond.'
Two men were arrested in relation to the attack but they have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.
Detective Chief Inspector Martin Kinchin, of Northamptonshire Police, has urged any witnesses to the attack to contact police.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...es-day-start-tour-beaten-final-night-out.html
