The aunt of a man who sustained life-threatening injuries after confronting a man at his Hoyland home says he remains in a coma.
The 49-year-old has serious head injuries and is in a critical condition at the Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield following the incident at his Skiers View home early on July 21.
His aunt, Pam Fleetwood, 72, of Brookhill Road, Kexborough, said: "I phoned my sister on Monday and he was in a coma then. He's such a lovely lad."
It is thought that Dean, a haulage company boss, disturbed a man who was allegedly attempting to break into his car.
Next door neighbours Gerald and Sylvia Whyke said the sound of the car starting woke them up.
Gerald said: "I heard the car engine start up at around quarter past three. When I came down, I saw police cars and an ambulance arriving already.
"Dean's wife was standing next to the car talking to neighbours over the wall, she was distraught."
Another neighbour said: "It's horrible when it happens to someone you know. You hear about it on the radio and on TV but you never expect it to happen so close to you."
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: "Following the confrontation, the 49-year-old man was left with serious head injuries and was transported to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. His condition is described as life threatening."
Anyone with information about the incident or who saw any suspicious activity in the area should contact South Yorkshire Police in 101, quoting incident number 298 of 21 July or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
• A 33-year-old Rotherham man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and grievous bodily harm.
