A MAN who stepped in to stop a gang damaging cars has been permanently scarred by an assault in Eastleigh.

The 24-year-old victim chased after a group of youths who verbally abused his girlfriend as she tried to get them to stop breaking bottles, which she feared would damage vehicles.

He chased the three youths down an alleyway between York Road and South Street, Eastleigh and when he caught up with the group, one of them hit him on the head with a beer bottle.

The assault left the man with an 8in gash that required ten stitches.