A public-spirited villager has described how he pleaded for his life as he was kicked by a gang of youths after he tried to stop them vandalising a Nativity scene.

The vicious assault on Steve Newsham, 34, follows a series of attacks on the display in the grounds of The Vicarage in Baildon Road, Baildon.

Now the vicar is to review security and says it may even be necessary to surround the larger-than-life figures by barbed wire.

And Mr Newsham, who needed ten stitches for mouth injuries, is appealing to the "Good Samaritan" who came to his rescue to come forward.

The joiner, who was returning home from a night out with his parents, went to remonstrate with the youths after seeing one of them kicking the colourful illuminated display.

He said: "I'm not religious but this display's wonderful and I think it's dreadful that anybody should try to vandalise it."

He said he was hit from behind as he walked off after speaking to the youths, adding: "I was knocked to the ground and they were stamping and kicking me. I was pleading for my life and thought I was going to die. I tried to get up and get away but they kept on kicking.

"A car drew up and they all scarpered. One of them even came back for a shoe he had lost."

"I must have been unconscious but then just remember this guy picking me up off the floor - they must have run off when he stopped.

"I've been trying to track him down because I'm really grateful for what he did and believe he saved my life."

The Reverend John Nowell said the display had already been targeted by vandals three times this year and had also been attacked during the three previous years it had been up.

He said: "We have the Nativity scene to remind people of what Christmas is really about. I've never believed in giving into vandals because then they have won.

"It's going to stay up but we will be reviewing security. A Nativity scene surrounded by barbed wire wouldn't be very appropriate but it might be necessary and would remind people of the state of affairs in this country."

He said he would be visiting Mr Newsham to thank him for his public-spirited actions.

l A West Yorkshire police spokesman said a 19-year-old Baildon man had been arrested in connection with the incident and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

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