A MAN was beat-en black and blue after challenging three yobs who were verbally abu-sing his step- daughter.

And the 42-year-old computer consultant believes the thugs turned on him at the corner of Vale Street and Queens Street in Darwen because they thought his London accent made him sound like a "posh snob".

Martin, who asked for his surname not be printed for fear of reprisals, was left with two fractured cheek bones, a broken finger and cuts and bruises to the rest of his face.

Moments earlier he had sworn at the men and told them to leave his step daughter alone after they started verbally abusing her.

One of the thugs remarked that he sound liked a "posh snob" and they began repeatedly punching and kicking him in the face.

Martin was knocked unconscious and the yobs walked off laughing.

His horrified partner had dialled 999 while the attack was taking place and police were quickly on the scene.

Martin, his partner and daughter had been walking back from a night out in Darwen when the attack took place.

Martin, who moved up north recently to be with his girlfriend, said: "I have right to live in any town just as much as the next man and should not made to be afraid of walking the streets or speaking differently.

"I'm disgusted by this type of crime.

"A number of neighbours came out to help and I thank them for that. The ambulance crew, police and nurses at the hospital have all been fantastic.

"But the problem remains.

"To anyone who is afraid to come forward and name the people who did this, remember if they get away with this what's next, who's next, you, a friend, the girl next door? A death?

"Then, who's to blame? The people who commit the crime or the people who could have stopped it?

"Our so called civilised society will simply continue to degrade and fall into a state where the only justice people feel they can get is that which they themselves hand out in the form of vigilantism.

"This could happen as long as pathetic cowards such as these yobs who hang around on our streets hiding behind drugs or drink as an excuse and without fear of consequence from the police or the courts."

Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident at about 1.30am on August 25 to come forward.

Detective Constable Steve Russell, of Darwen CID, said: "This man has been set upon by three males.

"They have apparently verbally abused his step daughter and when he has spoken to them they have in turn set upon him.

"We know there were people in the area at the time and need to hear from them."

A man has been arrested in connection with the incident and released on police bail pending further inquires.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Darwen CID on 01254 353842 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.