Horror attack on MD who stood up to thugs

The damaged Audi car

A CHADDERTON businessman was attacked with a baseball bat after he tried to stop vandals battering his car.

Traumatised Michael Keighery was treated by paramedics for badly bruised legs after he tried to defend himself from his attacker with his feet.

He was set upon after he ran out of Temple Somerville’s offices in Broadway, Chadderton, to stop the assault on his Audi A6 estate.

He was alerted to the attack on his £45,000 vehicle, at 10.45am on Friday, by screams coming from employees.

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Mr Keighery, who is the company’s managing director, saw what was happening and ran out to stop the attack which was being carried out by two masked men.

The 64-year-old father-of-four grown-up sons, said: “It was a knee-jerk reaction. As I chased them one ran off and the other turned round and attacked me. He aimed the baseball bat at my head but I ducked back and he caught me on my shin and knee.

“He had a balaclava over his head with slits for his eyes and nose and it was terrifying. It seemed to last for ever but it must only have been a few seconds.”

He added: “I am completely mystified. My car has a personalised number plate and it’s as if they were targeting me.

“I don’t know why anyone would want to do that, unless it’s a case of mistaken identity, but it has left me unnerved and very worried for my safety.”

The culprits smashed the car’s windscreen and back window and left dints on the panels.

The car, which is a 2010 model, had to be taken away for repair on a low-loader, leaving Mr Keighery without a vehicle. I feel absolutely traumatised,” he said. “There were lots of cars on the car park outside the office. I have no idea why anyone would target mine.

“All I am trying to do is run a business and keep people employed and there are people going around doing things like this. It’s disgraceful.”

A passing motorist who saw the horrifying incident drove round the block to stop and saw two men, who were in their early 20s, get into a gold Renault Megane and drive off.

Mr Keighery has appealed for anyone who saw the incident or who can help identify his attacker to contact Oldham police.

He said: “Broadway is one of the busiest roads in Oldham and there were lots of people around, and I would ask people to give any help they can to the police.”

A police spokesman said they were aware of the incident and inquiries were continuing.