a MAN from Taw Hill has spoken out about a terrifying attack by a gang of youths, who stamped on his head and kicked him in the ribs when he refused to hand over his clothes and wallet.

Jake Crawley, 22, was walking home with two friends when the attack took place near St Francis School, Aiken Road, last week.

He says the incident, which left him with severe bruising, will live forever is his memory, and has spoken of worrying ‘downward spiral’ in crime in the North Swindon area.

Mr Crawley first saw the group of youths on bikes at the Co-op in Taw Hill Village Centre but thought nothing of them until his friends noticed they had been following them.

The group tried to trap him and his friends by using their bikes to split them apart.

“There were between 10 to 15 of them on bikes,” he said.

“We just reached St Francis School and then they trapped us and tried demanding that we give our stuff over. They wanted to take my jacket, shoes, watch and wallet, but I refused to give them anything.

“That is when they began to get even more angry and aggressive. We tried to run, and luckily my two friends got away, but they managed to trip me up.

“I remember them stamping on my head and kicking me in my ribs.

“If other people have had this happen to them, I urge them to come forward, so we can put a stop to people doing this. I hope nobody else has to go through this.

“The North Swindon area has been on a tragic downwards spiral for years and is now the worst part of Swindon. It’s just not safe any more.”

Mr Crawley was rescued by a family who were nearby. He shouted “help, call the police” to them, which scared the thugs off.

The family then helped him get to the Tawny Owl pub, where the landlady called an ambulance. Mr Crawley was treated by the ambulance at the scene, and the police were called.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police released a statement saying: “We were called at around 7pm [on April 4] about an assault on a 22-year-old man by a group of males. He sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by ambulance.”

Mr Crawley also posted an update on Facebook to warn members of the North Swindon community to be cautious in the area after his attack.

The received several messages of support, with one person offering him free physio therapy sessions to overcome his injuries.