A PENSIONER has told how he lay unconscious on a pavement for an hour after being "beaten up" by a gang of teenagers.

Concerns are growing over the issue of youths congregating and causing a nuisance in Sedgefield, County Durham, but the latest incident has renewed calls for action.

Police are investigating the alleged assault on 67-year-old John Roper, which left him with a black eye and bruising.

Mr Roper told The Northern Echo he was walking alone in the dark when he claims he was "jumped on" by a group of about 15 teenagers.

"A person of my age should not be intimidated to that extent," he said. "These youths have no respect for anything. Something must be done. They are taking over Sedgefield."

The father-of-three said he left Sedgefield Social Club, on Rectory Row, last Friday, October 13, at about 7pm and made his way home to Church View.

Mr Roper, who suffers from cramps, decided to go for a walk shortly afterwards to ease his discomfort and ended up in Eden Drive.

"I came across a gang of lads, and I think about three girls, who were taking up all the pavement and who weren't going to move.

"I stood my ground and walked through the middle of them. They took exception to me and jumped on me.

"I don't remember anything after that. I think I must have been unconscious for about an hour and eventually staggered up and home."

Mr Roper, who lives by himself, said his head was bleeding, he suffered a black eye which "closed up completely" and he was left battered and bruised.

The pensioner is calling for more to be done to tackle teens congregating and causing trouble.

He said people were living in fear of going out after 5pm, adding: "We have problems in Sedgefield with all of these youths," added Mr Roper. "They come down on buses from Fishburn, the Trimdons and Bishop Middleham and hang around in gangs."

His views have been echoed by residents in the village, including dozens who took to Facebook to speak of their "disgust" over the apparent attack.

It is also understood teenagers are causing problems at Sedgefield's Co-op branch although no reports have been made to police in the last week.

Mr Roper has made a plea for a greater police presence while concerned mother-of-three Kate Stanley believes parents and Sedgefield Community College need to step up to help curb the problem.

She said: "The kids are getting out of control and people think the school has a responsibility as well as the parents.

"It's getting worse and a lot of residents are getting worried about it. These kids clearly have nothing to do and are of an age they want to escape."

No-one from the college was available to comment but it does work with police when necessary and encourages its pupils to be responsible citizens. The behaviour of students when on campus was praised in a recent Ofsted report which judged it outstanding.

Sedgefield Police confirmed enquiries were ongoing into the alleged assault, while alcohol was seized from an individual on Friday and Saturday night.

Sergeant Alex Clarke said the incident was "very unusual" and the issue of gangs of teens cropped up "now and then" in the town - with incidents of minor damage, petty crime and shoplifting.

He appealed to parents to be aware of where their children are and urged youths who gather in groups to be respectful of residents.

Durham county councillor for Sedgefield, John Robinson, said a meeting about youth provision for youngsters across Sedgefield, Fishburn, the Trimdons and Bishop Middleham was already planned but has been brought forward following the recent spate of anti-social behaviour.

Police, councillors, council officers, Livin and local groups have been invited to the meeting at Sedgefield Community College after the half-term break.