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Kelvin “Kelly” Hewitt was found at the side of the A66 covered in blood searching for the body part – which has still not been found.

The 40-year-old’s friends have said they are shocked by the attack, as he had only just moved to the caravan site where it happened.

A friend told the Daily Mirror: "Kelly is not a gypsy, and is not part of the travelling community.

"He is no villain. You wonder if he was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and whoever did this was looking for someone else.

"We can see no reason for anyone having a go at him like this. It does not bear thinking about – did they get the wrong man, and do this to him?"

It is thought Kelly was attacked at a caravan site in South Bank, Middlesborough, before being dumped at the side of the road.

He was found at 4.30am on Thursday by a passing motorist and taken to James Cook hospital.

His family have said they are “devastated” by the attack.

Kelly’s daughter Leanne, 22, wrote on Facebook: "My dad's stable now just hoping for a speedy recovery."