A man is fighting for his life in hospital after suffering horrific injuries in an alleged murder attempt.

Robert Wallis, 35, is in a critical condition in hospital with severe face and head injuries.

The attack is a double tragedy for his distraught mother Eileen Wallis, who is at his bedside.

The 58-year-old, who lives with Robert in Daytona Way, Herne Bay, is still grieving for her son Craig who hanged himself in April this year.

Eileen said the family was now praying Robert would make a full recovery.

She said: "We already went through hell when Craig died. We can't lose Robert as well. It was a real shock to see him. He's got to see specialist face surgeons tomorrow.

"I haven’t been able to speak to him yet because he's still sedated."

Police were called to a house in Clifftown Gardens, Herne Bay, shortly before midnight on Monday, where they found Robert badly injured.

He was taken by paramedics to the QEQM Hospital at Margate, where his condition is said to be critical but stable.

Mrs Wallis has broken the news to her eldest son, Richard, 41, who lives in London, and her ex-husband Colin, who lives in Nottingham.

She said: "Robert has lived with me in Daytona Way for the last five years. He didn’t have a job and had been drinking a bit because he was struggling to cope with Craig’s death.

"We're all still grieving and will never get over it."

Craig, 37, was found hanged in woods at Ashford after walking out of a mental health unit. He had become depressed after being arrested in connection with the drug-related death of a friend.

Robert Wallis was born in Littlebourne, but later moved to Canterbury where he attended Sturry Primary School.

Gregory Walters, 50, of Clifftown Gardens, Herne Bay, appeared before Canterbury magistrates yesterday charged with the attempted murder of Robert Wallis at the address. He was remanded in custody.