THE wife of a man who died after an assault in Richmond confirmed last night that she was the woman who had been arrested at the scene.

Andrew Jackson, 43, died in James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, on Monday two days after suffering severe head injuries in an attack near the Georgian Theatre Royal in Victoria Road, Richmond.

- Man refused bail after Richmond assault

Last night Mr Jackson's wife of five years, Sarah, paid tribute to her husband saying: "He didn't have a bad bone in his body."

Following the incident Mrs Jackson, 38, was arrested and has been released on police bail.

She said: "I was arrested at the scene, questioned and I was released with no charges against me."

Mr and Mrs Jackson, who were married in 2010, had two stepsons, aged 14 and 11.

"We are devastated and mortified," said Mrs Jackson. "[Both] boys worshipped the ground Andrew walked on. They have been left absolutely crushed because he isn't coming home. They are suffering over this absolutely tragic [incident]."

Mrs Jackson said police had not provided trained counsellors to help her children deal with the sudden death of their father.

"Our boys seem to have disappeared in all this. The children have lost their dad. We were a family; we were a unit."

The couple, who met in 2006, lived in nearby Brough with St Giles before moving to Richmond. They would have been married five years next month.

Friends also paid tribute to Mr Jackson last night.

Amy Lancaster, secretary of Richmond Golf Club, said members were in mourning for the man who had been a big part of the local golfing scene for around 30 years.

She said: “He was introduced to the club when he was ten by his grandparents, Iris and Harley Clapham.

“He became assistant professional alongside Paul Jackson – who was no relation to him – and he was given the nickname Puppy Jackson. That’s a great memory for a lot of people at the club.”

Mrs Lancaster said although Mr Jackson no longer played as regularly, he was a familiar face at the clubhouse and had time for everyone he met.

She said: “We are all in a state of shock – it’s just so difficult to comprehend. He was a true gentleman, great friend, and had such a beaming smile.”

The club, which is flying its flag at half mast for Mr Jackson, offered condolences to Mr Jackson’s family, including his mother Rosemary.

Another friend, Gary May, landlord of the Buck Inn, Richmond, added: “Andy was a gentle, easy-going, friendly bloke – just last week we had a drink, putting the world to rights. I can’t believe he has gone.”

Mr Jackson worked for Reed Boardall, a cold storage and haulage company based in Boroughbridge.

The investigation into the assault remains ongoing and officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Allan Harder, of North Yorkshire Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: “It is important that we find out exactly what happened to Andrew, therefore I am appealing to anyone who saw him on Saturday night between 6pm and 11.25pm to contact us with information about where he was, what he was doing and who he was with.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police’s Major Crime Unit on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.

* Cohnor James Coleman, 24, of Cookson Way, Brough with St Giles, appeared before magistrates on Monday charged with wounding with intent in connection with the incident.

He was refused bail and is due to appear at Teesside Crown Court on Monday, May 11, for a further hearing.