A BATTERED teenager's parents told today how thugs nearly killed him when they savagely beat him, robbed him and threw him into a canal.

Thomas Todd, a 19-year-old factory worker, suffered a broken jaw and two broken cheekbones in the attack on the canal bank close to the Moorings pub, Bolton Road, Blackburn.

And his parents David and Margaret are convinced his attackers did their best to stop Thomas escaping from the canal.

Thomas, who lives with his family in Scotland Bank Terrace, Livesey, Blackburn, was walking home alone after a night out with friends in Blackburn town centre.

He remembers nothing about the attack but has marks on his hands where he tried to scramble out of the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

The four white attackers were all in their late teens or early 20s and one was wearing just a pair of black shorts and dark Rockport style shoes.

Thomas said: "The whole thing is a complete blank. The first I knew about anything was when I woke up in hospital.

"I have been in a lot of pain and still feel very shaken up by what happened to me. The hospital has given me painkillers but my head and face have been giving me a lot of pain."

Thomas also revealed his 18th birthday present, a gold signet ring, was stolen along with another ring and his wallet. His father said: "From the looks of things these thugs kicked and punched Thomas in the head while he was in the water.

"It seems to me they were trying to kill him and Thomas was very lucky to escape with his life.

"It is important that these mindless thugs are caught as soon as possible before they doing something like this to someone else.

"Thomas is a quiet lad who never gets himself into any trouble. This is the first anything like this has ever happened to him. I think he is still in shock over what happened."

Detective Sergeant Joe Kellett, of Blackburn CID, said: "This was a vicious and nasty attack which could quite easily have had fatal consequences.

"We are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious to contact us immediately."

Anyone with information can contact Blackburn CID on 01254 51212.

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