Soldier in park attack

Matt Chapman: beaten up in Chadderton Hall Park

A LATE-NIGHT jogging soldier claims he was held by the throat and knocked unconscious by a gang of thugs in Chadderton Hall Park.

Matt Chapman (23) of the Duke of Lancaster First Battalion, had been at a friend’s house in Chadderton and went running in the park at around 11pm on Sunday.

He was attacked minutes later by a group of three or four youths and dragged into a wood, where he passed out.

Matt said: “I thought I’d go for a run because I was due to travel back to Catterick camp next morning.

“I ran over the first bridge then when I got down near the woods I was struck in the face with a weapon or a fist. I was strangled with some sort of belt and dragged into the woods. I passed out while they were choking me.

“I’d left all my valuables in the car so when I came round there was nothing missing. I drove back to my friend’s house. He took me to A&E.”

Matt said: “My neck is killing me and I’ve got cuts and scratches all over my face. I didn’t get much of a look at them but I think it was a random attack.”

The incident is being investigated by police