A TEENAGER was savagely beaten and thrown into the canal by a gang of youths who pounced on him as he returned from a night out.

Police say 19-year-old Thomas Todd could have been killed in the attack, which left him with a broken jaw and cheekbone.

Mr Todd, from Scotland Bank Terrace, Blackburn, was attacked as he walked along the bank of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal close to the popular Moorings pub, in Bolton Road, Blackburn.

He had been enjoying a night out in Blackburn and was walking home by the canal around 3am on Saturday.

Four youths launched an unprovoked attack and kicked and punched him for several minutes.

They then stole his wallet and two gold rings before throwing him in the canal. He cannot remember how he got out of the water or to the nearby Blackburn Royal Infirmary. His shocked father David Todd said: "Thomas had been out in town with his mate and ended walking home alone.

"He cannot remember a lot of what happened but he was in a terrible state when we saw him in the hospital. He is looking a little bit better now but he is still really badly shaken up."

Police say the attackers were all white, aged between 17 and 20 and one was wearing just a pair of black boxer shorts and dark coloured Rockport style boots.

Det 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."

People with information should contact Blackburn CID on 01254 51212.

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