A HAVE-A-GO hero was left a bloodied and battered mess after challenging a man breaking into a car.

Danny Mason, 37, was covered in so much blood that his family thought he had been shot.

A local councillor described the attacker as an ‘evil thug’.

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Mr Mason had just left a family party in Parkes Way, Blackburn when he approached the would-be thief and was viciously attacked.

He was found slumped unconscious on the ground by horrified family members.

A 25-year-old man from Blackburn has today been arrested on suspicion of Section 18 wounding with intent and is currently in custody.

Mr Mason, who grew up in Feniscowles but now lives in Kidderminster, said: “It all happened so quickly that I did not have a chance to think about it.

“Looking back, I thought I was doing the right thing by speaking to this man, but now I am in so much pain that I cannot sleep or work.”

Mr Mason was taken by ambulance to Royal Preston Hospital before being transferred to the facial injury unit at Royal Bolton Hospital where he was found to have a fractured cheek, broken nose and cut lip.

Mr Mason’s sister Sue Bannister said that the family have been ‘deeply shocked and upset’ by the attack and appeal for help to catch the culprit.

She said: “We had come to Blackburn for a family party and were having a really good time until the incident happened.

“Danny had gone outside for a cigarette when he spotted a man who looked like he was trying to break into vehicles.

“He spoke to him and asked him what he was doing and the man just started attacking him.

“A neighbour spotted what was happening and the man took off. He said that he had been punching him over and over.

“We think that he probably would have been killed if he hadn’t disturbed him.

“Our cousin came outside to see where Danny was as he had been a long time and saw him slumped unconscious on the ground.

“He has been in a lot of pain and the whole family have been left deeply shocked and upset by the incident.

“We really want anyone who has any information to come forward in order to try and catch whoever is responsible.”

Cllr Jackie Slater, who represents the Fernhurst ward, said she was appalled to hear what had happened.

She said: “To call the person that did this an evil thug is an understatement.

“My thoughts are with Mr Mason and his family. It was such a brave thing for him to do and he has to be applauded in a lot of ways.

“It is just unfortunate that in today’s society, it is not a wise thing to do.

“I hope the police catch whoever did this quickly.”

Anyone with information about the incident which happened at 11.45pm on Saturday should contact police on 101 quoting log number 1567 of February 28 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.