Gang of youths left dad for dead

FLASHBACK to last night's Chronicle story of a firework exploding under a police vehicle in Oldham

A GANG of 20 youths kicked a man while he lay motionless on the ground after he confronted them when a firework was set off outside his relatives' home, his wife has claimed.

The man and his close family, who wished to stay anonymous, were visiting relatives at their home on Copster Hill Road, Coppice, when a firework was set off outside the front door at around 6.35pm on Bonfire night.

Smoke surged into the living room as a result and the man, whose wife and children were in the house along with other relatives, went to see what had happened.

He saw three teenagers in the road and believing they had done it confronted them.

But then four more youths appeared followed shortly after by a gang of around 20 wearing hoods, it was alleged.

His wife said that she saw her husband speaking with the gang when one of them hit him, causing him to fall and hit his head on the concrete pavement.

While he was on the ground the gang set upon him, kicking him until he was motionless, after which they continued the attack, his wife said.

The gang left him on the floor with blood pouring from his nose and face.

Police were called and took the man to Royal Oldham Hospital where he was treated for a fractured eye socket and wounds to his head.

The attack has left the man unable to work for three to four weeks while he recovers both mentally and physically, his wife confirmed.

She described the attackers as 'worse than animals' and said their children had been left terrified, physically sick and nervous from the incident.

She added: "There was just so many of them and they know they can get away with it.

"My husband was talking to them and he got hit and he fell, hitting his forehead on the concrete.

"Then they all started kicking him and he was just motionless.

"When they stopped we went and got him up and there was blood all over his face.

"The people who did this are worse than animals."

She added: "My husband will be off work for three to four weeks, it is both mental and physical damage that he has suffered.

"My children are scared to go outside now, they are nervous and they were feeling sick for days."

Police are investigating.