A man who was viciously attacked and repeatedly stabbed after going to the defence of three young girls is calling for tougher sentencing for people carrying knives.

Gary Hawley believes he is lucky to be alive after being stabbed eight times and punched repeatedly about the head on Yeadon High Street.

Now recovering in St James Hospital in Leeds Mr Hawley, 49, described the attack which left him seriously injured after going out to pick up a Chinese takeaway.

Police said he had asked a group who were shouting abuse at some passers-by to quieten down.

He says he picked up his meal and got back into his car but before he could shut the door a man appeared and started to hit and punch him.

"Because I was sat down I couldn't go anywhere or get up," he said. "Then obviously at whatever stage I blacked out."

Mr Hawley said: "I can't remember getting into the ambulance to go to the hospital."

He said it wasn't until he came round in hospital with a policeman at his side that he realised he had been stabbed - six times in the back, and twice in the chest.

"I am very lucky to be alive," he said. "My face was like a pumpkin, it was unrecognisable. Obviously so far that is about it, but I don't know what long term effects there will be, physically or mentally."

He added: "I don't know how long I will be in. Every time I stand up I feel dizzy."

Mr Hawley, who was attacked last Thursday, said he would like to see tougher sentencing for anyone carrying a knife.

"At the end of the day people who carry knives carry them for one reason only, and if they are found with them, or using them, personally I think their sentence should be four times what it is now.

Mr Hawley said he is only now finding out details about what happened to him.

"I think other people were more stunned than I was because I blacked out," he said. "I am just getting over it but at certain times I am talking to detectives and finding out a bit more and getting more horrified."

The stabbing victim's father Eric Hawley has thanked everyone who helped his son after the attack, and he praised West Yorkshire Police for the way the incident had been handled.

Mr Hawley, 70, said his wife came close to having a heart attack as they rushed to the hospital to see their injured son.

He said: "Gary didn't want us to know about this because he was worried the stress would be no good for out health. That's the sort of man he is, he thinks about others and makes an effort to help them."

  • A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said three people aged 15, 16 and 17, appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court this week, charged with section 18 wounding and robbery. She said one other had been released on police bail, and three had been released without charge.