AN ABERYSTWYTH University student who was left in a critical condition after being attacked in the street has woken from his coma, his father has said.

Ifan Richards Owens, a second-year criminology student at Aberystwyth, was left unconscious after being assaulted on High Street at around 2.20am on Sunday, 14 January.

The 19-year-old’s father Gareth Owens posted on social media on Sunday morning that he was now breathing unassisted, just under a month after the incident.

Five men were arrested at the time in connection with the assault, with Dyfed-Powys Police issuing several appeals for key witnesses and information.

Police have yet to answer questions about whether any charges have been brought against any of the men.

No updates on the investigation have been given.

On Sunday morning Mr Owens tweeted: “Amazing, unexpected good news!

“Ifan’s been taken off the ventilator and had the breathing tube removed!

“He’s poking his tongue out ‘on command’.”

He added that “through facial expression and an approving grunt”, he even chose what radio station to listen to.

Mr Owens also praised staff at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, where his son was initially treated, and at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff where he has been being treated for the last four weeks.

He said his son’s progress was “a tremendous tribute” to the work of hospital staff.

As Ifan’s condition improves, friends from the UMCA, the Welsh Language Students’ Union at Aberystwyth University, have organised a walk in support.

Union members will meet at 3pm on Sunday, 18 February in Pantycelyn and walk down through the town and towards the bandstand.

The union said the event “is to show that Aberystwyth as a town is behind Ifan and his family through this difficult period” and to “ensure to the students that Aber is a safe place to live.”

Members of the Welsh Language Students’ Union at rival Bangor University have also shown their support, and will join the walk on Sunday.

The union said it is “standing with Aberystwyth Welsh students and Celtic students to support them and Ifan’s family and friends.”

“We will be walking to ensure that Aber is a safe place to live,” the union said.

Bucket donations will be taken throughout the day, while a fund-raising page for Ifan and his family has reached over £6,500 at the time of going to press.