The brother of a man with epilepsy who was beaten up by a group of youths in Keighley has condemned those responsible.

Peter Hutchinson, 50, was attacked in Bradford Road after initially being hit in the face by a snowball. He said he was beaten so badly he could hardly walk for three days.

His brother, John, said: “I think it’s absolutely disgusting that five young lads would set about someone who is disabled. How can they get away with something like this?”

A police spokesman confirmed the attack was under investigation and appealed for any witnesses to contact officers.

Mr Hutchinson, of Keighley, who cannot work because of the severity of his epilepsy, said he had been walking towards the shops in Stockbridge at about 3pm on Wednesday, February 13.

He was in Bradford Road, close to Victoria Park, when a group of five Asian youths on the other side of the road threw a snowball at him.

When he went to remonstrate with them he said they assaulted him and knocked him to the ground. The attack continued for about two minutes before the teenagers fled down Bronte Street.

He said: “They ran off and left me to struggle back home. They must have done something to my right leg. I’ve lost all feeling in it.”

His brother John, 51, who is a brewery worker and also lives in Keighley, said he understood a telecoms engineer was working nearby at the time of the attack and could have seen what happened.

A spokesman for Airedale and North Bradford Police said: “We received reports that a man had approached five youths in the Bradford Road-Bronte Street area to stop them throwing snowballs.

“He was hit in the face with a snowball and assaulted by maybe two of the youths. They were all male, Asian and about 15 years old.

“Inquiries are ongoing and anyone who has seen the incident, or knows the people involved, should contact us on the non-emergency 101 number or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”