A FORMER Sunday league football physiotherapist is suing a Teesside councillor for damages after an alleged assault six years ago.

John Lynch, a 48-year-old father from Thornaby, claims he was left with permanent nerve damage and registered disabled following the attack he claims was carried out by Councillor Stephen Walmsley in October 1995.

The attack on Mr Lynch, of Valiant Way, happened as a player was leaving the pitch at a match and a spectator, allegedly Coun Walmsley, went to help.

The physio, who was working with Thornaby Social Club's team, claims that, when he went to take over treatment, he was verbally and physically attacked, that he was knocked unconscious and required hospital care.

Mr Lynch said: "I was a physiotherapist for a while and I've never had anything like this done to me before.

"I've lost a disc out of my neck. I'm going as far as I can with this. I've got permanent nerve damage to my right arm that I've got to live with for the rest of my life."

Mr Lynch said he is now on care allowance as he is unable to touch anything hot, because of the nerve damage, and said he had even had to miss out helping with Christmas dinner since the incident.

Mr Lynch also claims he has had to give up his Territorial Army service after 26 years, having been a recipient of a Territorial Efficiency Medal.

He was also awarded a Royal Humane Society certificate for his efforts when he revived an 11-year-old girl who had stopped breathing.

In addition, Mr Lynch said that, as a result of the attack, he had been forced to give up his heavy goods vehicle licence.

His claim against Coun Walmsley, of Chadderton Drive, Thornaby, who sits on Stockton Borough Council, is being carried out through Middlesbrough County Court and is for assault and battery.

Coun Walmsley, who represents Thornaby's Mandale ward and is the South Borough representative on the council's cabinet, as well as a member of the planning committee, last night declined to comment on the incident when contacted by The Northern Echo.