A MOTORIST needed seven staples in his head after he was brutally attacked by a mob of 15 thugs.

The man suffered the horrific head injury when he was set upon by the gang after getting out of his car because he heard something hit the vehicle.

He was beaten with a lump of wood before the group of youths went on a rampage of violence, throwing beer cans and stones at homes and cars.

The 36-year-old victim, who has asked not to be named, was driving home along Portsmouth Road, Sholing, Southampton, after a night out with work colleagues when he was targeted.

He had barely got out of the vehicle when he was viciously attacked.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, he said: "I didn't really believe what was happening. I just got out of the car and they were on me.

"They were concentrating their punches on my head, my glasses were knocked off and there was blood everywhere.

"I think the car came off the worst. Both the front and back windscreens were completely smashed in and they stole my mobile phone from the glove box."

He added that as a result of the attack he no longer feels safe in Southampton and is going to move out of the city where he has lived for six years.

"I was thinking about it anyway, but this has decided it. It is just getting worse and I just don't want to live here any more," he said.

The group then ran off towards Sholing where they began a wrecking spree by throwing more missiles at homes and vehicles.

A minibus was destroyed after being hit with stones and a For Sale signpost before the gang stole a mobile phone from inside the vehicle. Homes were also damaged in the Purvis Gardens area of Sholing.

Police are determined to catch those responsible before they attack again.

Sergeant Frank Harrison said: "This was a dreadful attack on a number of unsuspecting motorists who had stones thrown at their cars. One man has been left very badly injured after being attacked by the group, who basically ran amok in the area.

"They left a trail of mayhem and damage and they need to be caught. We would urge anyone who knows who these people are to contact us as soon as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hedge End CID on 0845 045 4545.