A MAN who tried to stop two teenagers breaking into his neighbours' cars was left with a 4in gash to his head after they attacked him with a gate panel.

Have-a-go hero Roy Russell saw the bike-riding teenagers trying to force their way into cars parked on his street in West End and decided to challenge them.

As the 44-year-old grabbed a bike to stop them riding off, one of the youths ripped a 4ft piece of wood from a gate and began swinging it at him.

Despite the married father-of-one falling over as he tried to escape the blows, the youth continued his assault, smashing the panel into the back of Mr Russell's head and leaving him with a deep wound.

The assault, in Romill Close, also left Mr Russell with a grazed back, knees and hands, while the cut to his head required three internal and nine external stitches.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Mr Russell, said that despite the violence he did not regret what he had done and would do it again.

He said: "I'm still happy that I challenged them, and I would definitely do it again.

"You have to stand up to these little thugs.

"This is a quiet road with only about ten houses and we see our neighbours as friends. If I see someone trying to steal their property then I'm going to try and stop them."

Detectives are investigating the attack.