A GANG of teenagers, some as young as 12, nearly kicked to death a York householder - all for a crate of lager.

"Gentle giant" Chris Gregory, 57, is believed to have "died" twice after the attack in Beckfield Lane, Acomb, and was only saved by a passing doctor who performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and heart massage to keep him alive.

A witness saw the victim being set on by a gang of a dozen teenage youths who were kicking and hitting him, leaving him covered in blood.

The witness chased the youths away, but moments later Mr Gregory collapsed to the ground.

"It was awful, all the colour drained from him, and he went from white to grey.

"I think he was dying right in front of me," said the witness, who asked not to be named.

The incident happened on Saturday about 2.15pm when Mr Gregory saw the gang of youths on cycles in his neighbour's drive.

The gang is believed to have spotted a crate of lager under the garage door and was making off with it when Mr Gregory went out to confront them.

Sergeant Richard Hall of York Police said the gang then attacked Mr Gregory, leaving him with serious head injuries, before fleeing.

The doctor was passing the scene and helped Mr Gregory until an ambulance arrived.

"That man definitely saved his life. If he wasn't there, the bloke would be dead," said the witness.

"But I can't believe that someone has nearly died for a crate of lager."

Mr Gregory's neighbour, Mick Ellerby, whose property Mr Gregory was protecting, said: "Chris is a fantastic bloke, a real gentle giant, and would do anything for anyone," said

"He saw the kids hanging about and run down my drive and went out to confront them, but they really gave him a kicking."

He said: "Me and Chris are good friends. We have a drink at Christmas and do each other favours. I am so upset, to have seen him laid out on the floor, blue and grey because he had stopped breathing, it was really horrific."

After Mr Gregory was taken to hospital, Mr Ellerby was not allowed back into his home for almost three hours while CID and forensic officers cordoned off the pavement and combed for evidence. Officers were also collecting any abandoned cycles in the area as potential evidence.

The police yesterday appealed for anyone who witnessed the attack or had any information to phone York Police Witness Line on 01904 669884.

They said they were seeking a gang of eight to 12 youngsters, aged 12 to 16. Mr Gregory was today in a stable, satisfactory condition in hospital and has regained consciousness. The officer in charge of the case, Detective Inspector Alan Carey, said: "So far we have interviewed, or are interviewing today, nine juveniles who have been arrested in relation to the incident in Beckfield Lane, and inquiries are obviously continuing. We would still appeal to anybody with any information to come forward."

Updated: 14:20 Monday, December 29, 2003