THE family of a father who died three months after he was allegedly brutally attacked with a hammer have paid tribute to a man who they described as "brave and proud".

Frazer Brabant, 31, died in hospital on Tuesday, January 21, after nearly three months on life support.

He was assaulted on Gershwin Road on October 31, 2019 and was found in the rear garden of a residential property with serious head injuries.

Paying tribute to Frazer, his family have released a statement.

It reads: "Words cannot express the way we feel about losing Frazer.

"He was a much loved son, grandson, brother and father who has left behind two little girls, aged 7 and 11.

"He fought so bravely and for so long after the devastating attack on him.

"Frazer was a very proud father and loved his girls very much but because of his condition in hospital, his daughters were unable to go and say a final goodbye to their daddy.

"Nobody deserved what happened to him and it has left our family in utter shock and grief.

"We are all heartbroken and our lives will never be the same. He will be forever missed by all his family and friends and we hope he can now rest in peace.

"We would ask for respect and privacy at this incredibly difficult time.

"The incident occurred on the night of Halloween, October 31. Frazer was found in the rear garden of a residential property in Gershwin Road, Basingstoke, with serious head injuries.

"Frazer has remained in hospital ever since but passed away on Tuesday, January 21.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to get in touch online by using this link:

https://mipp.police.uk/operation/44HC19N04-PO1

If you would like to speak to someone, you can also call 101, quoting Operation Enhance.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Five people have been arrested in connection with the incident on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. They are two men in their 30s from Basingstoke and three men in their 20s – two from Basingstoke and one from Middlesex. They remain under investigation.