They are also facing charges of attacking another man on the same spot a week earlier, Calderdale magistrates heard yesterday.

Andrew Gorton, aged 20, of Burnley Road, Todmorden, Jonathan Jackson, aged 18, of Robinwood Terrace, Todmorden, and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Calderdale Magistrates Court yesterday.

They were remanded in custody until May 14, when they will appear before Bradford Crown Court.

The three were charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and unlawful wounding.

Damian Shepherd, aged 42, who has cerebral palsy, suffered extensive head and face injuries following the alleged attack in Cornholme just before midnight on Wednesday, April 30.

Neighbours cared for Mr Shepherd until paramedics and police arrived.

He was initially taken to Rochdale Infirmary but later transferred to the Royal Oldham Hospital, where he was in intensive care and on a ventilator.

His condition was described yesterday as poorly but stable.

The attack scene was cordoned off and a police tent put up while forensic tests were carried out. Detectives made door-to-door enquiries.

A second man, Thomas Croft, aged 25, was assaulted following a similar attack on April 23, said prosecutor Emma Downing.

He was attacked in the same location as Mr Shepherd, she told magistrates.