THREE hooded youths armed with a cricket bat stole a businessman's mobile phone in a vicious daylight attack.

The 25-year-old victim was knocked to the ground by a blow to the chest when the gang pounced on him.

He dropped his mobile phone and as one of the gang picked it up and raced off, the other two attempted to grab his wallet and keys from his suit pocket.

But the injured man bravely fought them off with kicks and punches as he lay on the pavement in Bright Street, off Leeman Road, York.

Speaking to the Evening Press today, he said: "I heard footsteps behind me and as I turned around one of them whacked me in the ribs with the bat.

"It was a complete shock. When I went down the phone went from my hand. Then the other two ripped open my suit and shirt and were trying to get my wallet and car keys.

"I managed to fight them off. I certainly connected with a few feet and arms. They realised I wasn't just going to lay there, so they ran off.

"I think they knew what they were doing, I certainly can't imagine that they were out to play cricket.

"I presume they were looking for somebody, it's just good it wasn't a 70-year-old woman collecting her pension, because she wouldn't have been able to fight back."

The man, who has asked not to be named, suffered severed bruising to his ribs in the attack on Tuesday at about 11.30am.

Detective Constable Jo Wragg, who is investigating the attack, described the incident as "nasty".

She said officers would like to speak to anyone who may have been in the area who saw the trio who were wearing dark-coloured hooded tops drawn tightly around their faces.

She said the attackers, who were all white, may have been aged in their mid teens and would have looked out of place in the hot, sunny weather.

The youth holding the cricket bat was of slim build and about 6ft tall. He wore blue jeans and a dark, hooded top.

One of the other two was wearing a black hooded top with yellow writing on it in the style of a music band logo. The third youth may have been wearing a grey-coloured top and dark tracksuit bottoms.

Anyone with information should phone York Police on 0845 60 60 24 7 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Updated: 10:46 Thursday, August 11, 2005