THE British National Party is using a brutal attack on a York man to launch a recruiting drive in York.

The extreme right-wing party has breached Evening Press copyright by printing without permission our picture of Doug Unwin, who was left scarred for life by young yobs.

The BNP's initiative has appalled Mr Unwin, who is horrified that people may believe he condones the party or its actions.

The copyright breach has been put in the hands of Evening Press lawyers.

But BNP activists were unrepentant about their actions today.

The party has already made significant local election gains in other northern towns and cities.

Now activists have delivered hundreds of pamphlets to homes throughout west York expressing sympathy for Mr Unwin, who needed ten stitches after being smashed on the head with a mini-scooter by a young thug and punched in the face by another.

Our picture of Mr Unwin's scarred head is reproduced in the leaflet, which urges people to join the party and support the return of corporal punishment for violent attacks.

The 57-year-old, from Kingswood Grove, Acomb, was also sent a personal letter from an unnamed activist which says: "We will keep a watch on the situation and will be in touch should you need any help".

"I'm appalled people might think I'm associated with the BNP," said Mr Unwin, who is a worshipper at St Paul's Church, in Holgate Road.

"I have one of the most cosmopolitan group of friends of anyone I know. I can't imagine that the BNP would be interested in someone as tolerant and liberal-minded as me. They are on a different planet to me.

"I find it intensely distasteful that they wish to gain political profit from my misfortune."

Mr Unwin has suffered constant headaches and short-term memory loss since the attack, and has had dozens of messages of support from members of the public.

Dr Phill Edwards, national press officer for the BNP, said if attack victims like Mr Unwin supported them there would be "less chance of them getting beaten up".

"We would strengthen law and order," he said.

"We've got a problem in this country that has led to blokes like him (Mr Unwin) getting assaulted and all he can do is complain that we've used his photo in a leaflet."

Asked why the BNP used an Evening Press photo without permission, he said: "The needs must when the devil drives.

"The issue is so great and the situation so serious we feel justified in using it.

"It's not hurting your newspaper. It's pathetic and trivial for you to take offence with us for borrowing a photo. You should be more bothered about the inactivity of the Government in dealing with problem youths."

But Evening Press editor Kevin Booth said: "We would never release our material for use in any party political campaign. We cherish the impartiality of our reporting - and we will never support extremists of any kind."

Updated: 10:52 Tuesday, October 28, 2003