Essex: Dad left for dead by yobs

Dad left for dead by yobs

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2007/08/21/dad-left-for-dead-by-yobs-89520-19665635/

A father who confronted abusive teenage yobs was left for dead after they jumped and stamped on his head.

Andrew Boiston, 36, was blue and close to death when he was found unconscious with a punctured lung, broken ribs, fractured eye socket and severe head injuries. He spent five days in intensive care.

Yesterday the former soldier - who still has double vision, crippling headaches and shoulder pains - said: "I went down to the shop and a load of lads I'd never seen before started calling me names and ripping into me.

"They were calling me 'w****r' and 't****r'. They were only aged about 14 to 16.


"I chased them away to the park because I thought they'd just do it to the next person who came along. Then I sat down and offered them my hand to shake, to show I didn't mean any harm.

"One of them called me a paedophile and I chased them off again. I've no memory of what happened next, but I was knocked out." It is believed the gang stamped and kicked Andrew's head and chest before fleeing the scene at Great Warley, Essex.

Andrew, who needs a titanium plate fitted behind a damaged eye which he covers with an eye patch, said: "When an ambulance crew reached me I was blue.

"They airlifted me to hospital. I woke up days later in intensive care." The assault is yet one more grim statistic in yob rule Britain.

In the last 11 days dad of three Garry Newlove, 47, of Warrington, Cheshire, and graduate Evren Anil, 23, have died after challenging louts.

Yesterday a Mirror poll revealed that 42 per cent of people feel scared on the streets at night.

Backing the Mirror's Reclaim Our Streets campaign married Andrew, dad of sons aged 11 and seven, added: "It's incomprehensible that kids can do this. Our boys won't go to the park now. They won't grow up like that. We instill good values."

The family are hoping their council will find them a new home away from the area. Six youths have been charged with grievous bodily harm.