A HAVE-A-GO hero who was dragged 400 metres hanging onto a thief's car, and only escaped serious injury because passing out, was praised today.Lee Shepherd is at home nursing severe cuts, bruises and burn marks after he was pulled along four roads from the outside of a car.

A HAVE-A-GO hero who was dragged 400 metres hanging onto a thief's car, and only escaped serious injury because passing out, was praised today.

Lee Shepherd is at home nursing severe cuts, bruises and burn marks after he was pulled along four roads from the outside of a car.

Mr Shepherd, 25, intervened when he saw thieves target a teenage girl in the street on Saturday - but was assaulted when he gave chase.

Today, Mr Shepherd's family are calling for witnesses to contact police.

His mother Debbie Shepherd said: “Lee just wants people to come forward as these people don't deserve to get away with it.

“It was busy in the area as it was the day England played Paraguay in the World Cup and lots of people were out and about.

“We are sure people must have seen it and I just want to say please will they go to the police.”

Mr Shepherd, a construction worker and father-of-three, saw the girl have her mobile phone, jewellery and cigarettes stolen at around 7.15pm. The incident started outside a shop on Garrick Way, close to his home.

Mr Shepherd's sister Louise O'Sullivan said: “He said he saw the girl crying so he went over and pulled the man off her.

“The man ran off so he chased him but the thief got in a car with two other men.

“His memory is a bit of a blur, we think he might have blacked out, but he was dragged along Garrick Way, Macaulay Road and Burke Road, to Moore Road, with one of his arms in the driver's side of the car.

“He can't remember if he was holding on or if the attacker had hold of him. We think he blacked out which is a good thing because it meant his body went floppy and he didn't brake any bones.

“He was left on the ground bleeding and a member of the public called an ambulance.”

Ms Shepherd said: “He was lying flat out for a day, hardly able to move. Now he's getting better but he has around 35 stitches in his head and body. It's a miracle he wasn't hurt more than he was.

“I'm very proud of him as most people would've just turned away and not tried to help. It goes to show there are people out there who will put themselves in danger to help you.

“If it was my daughter in trouble I'd like to think someone would intervene.”

Suffolk police spokesman Louise Rosher said: “We are investigating. This man was trying to help an unknown female who he saw screaming and upset and has ended up as a victim.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has details about the red car involved is asked to call Dc Vince Grimsey at Ipswich CID on 01473 613500.