THE SON of a leading Southampton councillor is recovering at home today after being beaten by a gang of teenage thugs.

Steven Slade, 21, the son of Liberal Democrat chairman and Peartree Councillor John Slade, suffered horrific injuries to his head and face after being beaten up by the gang near his home in Bitterne Park on Wednesday night.

He was saved from a far worse beating by a woman driver who stopped her car while the attack was taking place. She opened her car door and allowed the bruised and bleeding gap-year student to stagger inside.

Police believe that the attack could be linked to three other assaults by groups of teenagers which have taken place in the area since the beginning of March.

The vicious attack took place at about 10.50pm on Wednesday near the junction of Diamond Road and Oak Tree Road in Bitterne Park.

Mr Slade was returning home from his girlfriend's house when he was confronted by the youths.

He said: "They were a gang of kids. One of them approached me. I saw him reach out his fist towards me. I knew I was in trouble. I tried to push my way out and run but I was boxed in by the others. There were too many of them."

The gang of up to six youths, including a girl, began punching Steven repeatedly in the face. The attack worsened when he leant forward under a rain of blows and the youths began kicking him in the head.

Steven added: "They were making threats. They said they were going to kill me."

Steven was taken to hospital by a shocked Cllr Slade, where he re-ceived treatment for injuries to his eyes, nose and face.

Cllr Slade praised the actions of the "Good Samaritan" driver who took his shocked son back to his home in Cobbett Road.

He said: "It is horrific when you open the door and you see your son and his face is completely covered in blood. The woman was the heroine of the moment. I would like to thank her and the police."

Bitterne Community Inspector Steve Latham said the attack had been completely unprovoked.

The youths were all aged between 15 and 16. The girl was slim and blonde with long hair in a ponytail.

One of the other attackers was stocky with close-cropped ginger or blond hair. Another was white with brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing black trainers and black Addidas tracksuit bottoms.

All of the five male attackers were wearing hooded tops. Anyone who has any information should ring Bitterne Police on 0845 045 45 45.