Law graduate fighting for life after confronting gang of yobs

A University graduate was fighting for life last night after being attacked by a gang of teenagers in the street. Dave Burns was surrounded by the youths only hours after three teenagers were given life for beating Garry Newlove to death in an alarmingly similar attack. In a chilling echo, Mr Burns, 26, was also punched in the face and crashed to the ground where he suffered severe head injuries. Last night his condition was described as "critical" by doctors at a special neurological unit. The attack took place at the junction of Langfield Crescent and Malvern Avenue in Droylsden, Tameside, Greater Manchester - just 20 miles from Mr Newlove's hometown of Warrington - shortly after 8.30pm on Sunday. Mr Burns, who recently graduated with a law degree, had been verbally abused by a gang of teenagers as he walked home from the Strawberry Gardens pub after watching the Manchester football derby. Regulars there had been joined by boxing star Ricky Hatton. Neighbours said youths have been a constant menace drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis in the streets. As he walked down the street with his friends, Kevin Moore, 24, and Ian Moore, 26, it is believed a gang of around eight youths began shouting "baldy" at Mr Burns. The friends continued down the road and arrived at their destination. There, they discovered that the youths had been causing problems outside earlier in the evening. They went out to investigate and it was then the attack took place. Mr Burns became separated from his friends and was surrounded by around eight teenagers before one of them punched him in the face. He was taken to Tameside General Hospital and was later transferred to Hope Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Detective Inspector John Chadwick, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "This is an extremely serious assault that has left a man fighting for his life in hospital. "Although only one punch was actually thrown, this demonstrates how a single act of violence can have potentially fatal consequences. "I appeal to the conscience of the members of the group that surrounded the victim. "I believe that some of them may have actually tried to help him before running off and I look to them now to do the decent thing and come forward sooner rather than later." Three of the offenders are described as white and aged 17. One was about 6ft and of slim build. He was wearing a brown hooded top and riding a BMX bike. A second is described as being of slim build with a thin face. He was wearing a grey hooded zip-up jacket with the hood up. A third is described as being of stocky build with a shaven head. He was wearing a black tracksuit. The victim, who recently started work as an insurance fraud investigator, shares a home with his mother, Agnes, 60, and sisters, Catherine and Jane.