Ifan Owens: Walk to support attacked Aberystwyth student

Mr Owens from Cardiff is a second-year student at Aberystwyth University

About 300 people have taken part in a walk to show their support for a student who was left seriously injured after a street attack.

Ifan Owens, 19, was found unconscious on Aberystwyth's High Street in Ceredigion in the early hours of 14 January.

He woke from a coma on 11 February and his family said he was now breathing unassisted.

Five people were arrested at the time of the incident.

• Attacked uni student wakes from coma

• Support for family after student attack

The walk, from Aberystwyth University's Pantycelyn halls of residence to the town's bandstand, was also to show support to Mr Owens' family and to "ensure to the students that Aberystwyth is a safe place to live".

Supporters carried banners saying 'Aber for Ifan' as they walked

Gwion Llwyd Williams, president of the university's Welsh language students' union, UMCA, which organised the walk, said: "Today just shows the support Ifan and his family has here in Aberystwyth."

Residents walked alongside university lecturers, students and Mr Owens' family who had travelled from Cardiff, before a series of speeches were made at the bandstand on the town's promenade.

Dr Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, pro vice chancellor of the university where Mr Owens is a second-year student, said: "The incident that led to the situation with Ifan is exceptionally rare here.

"We're very fortunate to live in a very safe community in Aberystwyth and in the wider community in Ceredigion and it's amazing for us to see the support that's been shown today, and the way the students and members of the community have come out in force."

Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn, who also took part in the walk, has previously announced his intention to re-establish CCTV in Aberystwyth.

He said investment was coming although he could not say when.