A GRANDFATHER savagely beaten after confronting two teenage thugs said he would never do it again, fearing he might be killed like tragic have-a-go hero Garry Newlove.

Mark Earnshaw, 51, was repeatedly punched and kicked after he remonstrated with youths he caught overturning bins in a park near his home.

His attackers Kyle Spencer, 19, and a 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named, were each jailed for three years after admitting causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The younger boy also admitted criminal damage.

But after the case at Preston Crown Court, account manager Mr Earnshaw said: “I won’t bother tackling yobbos next time – I don’t want to be another Garry Newlove.”

The case of father-of-three Mr Newlove, 47, caused national outrage in 2007. He was kicked to death as he confronted a gang damaging his wife’s car outside their home in Warrington, Cheshire.

Mr Earnshaw, of Blackpool, said: “I’m pleased these lads have gone to jail. I don’t like senseless damage.

“But unfortunately I would let them get on with it next time. It’s not worth risking my life. My wife could have been going to a funeral. You hear about what happens to people like Garry Newlove, who lost his life doing something like I did. That could have been me.”

The attack on Mr Earnshaw happened in the early hours of March 9 last year, while his wife Linda, 49, was at hospital because his stepdaughter was having twins.

He found bins overturned at nearby Anchorsholme Park and feared flower beds, a bowling green and a play area might be vandalised. Then two youths appeared out of the darkness. He told them he didn’t want trouble and went inside.

But as he got ready for bed he heard noises from the park and went out.

He recalled: “I just yelled, ‘Are you lads still there?’ They said they were doing it because they had nothing else to do. Then one squared up to me, saying, ‘Go on touch me’ over and again. As Mr Earnshaw tried to walk away he felt a thump from behind. He said: “They started punching and kicking me. I had to stay on my feet, it was my only chance.

“I heard my nose crack twice. The pain was unbelievable and blood was streaming down my face. I was bent over trying to fend them off but it just carried on.” He managed to flee but a neighbour’s car was then damaged.

He had two black eyes, a broken nose, damage to his jaw and a gaping wound where his teeth tore through his cheek. He has permanent damage to his right eye and scars.

Mr Earnshaw said: “It frustrates me that thugs ruined what should be a happy time in our lives. Our two grandsons were born that evening.’’

Detective Constable Alan Quanbrough said: “This was a senseless attack. He was simply acting in the interests of his community.”