A MUM says she is too scared to leave her home after being set upon by a gang of youths in a senseless and unprovoked attack.

Gina Hulse, 50, was attacked by youngsters who kicked her and were verbally abusive after she fell in the street.

The Well Lane resident, who suffers from arthritis, says she believes the youths mistook her for a drunk as she walks badly because of her disabilities.

She told the Chronicle that the youths were extremely abusive before coming over and kicking her while she lay on the floor.

Mrs Hulse, who moved to Weaverham last June, says she has been left too frightened to leave the house.

She said: 'I normally go to places in the car but I wanted a breath of fresh air so I put my coat on and went out - I will never go out on my own again now.

'I was on some raised pavement when I slipped and fell. I was in a lot of pain as I shattered my hip a few years ago, and then from behind I heard voices shouting abuse. They were swearing at me and calling me a drunk and all kinds of things. They then came across to kick me.

'I don't know how may of them there were but I was cowering to protect myself so I just heard voices and saw feet.'

Mrs Hulse said she was left extremely shaken by the incident. She added: 'I just remember somehow getting back home.

'I didn't have a key, and my husband and daughter were out looking for me. I went around the back and waited around there as I was so frightened my attackers may have followed me.

'Eventually my family got back and my husband opened the back door to let the dogs out and I just fell in the back door. He called the police and the ambulance and I was taken to Leighton Hospital.'

Mrs Hulse was left with cuts and bruises on her face and legs and is at a loss to explain the seemingly motiveless attack.

She said: 'You never think it will happen to you and I hope someone knows who has done this.'

'My own daughter is 16 and if I thought for a second she was involved in anything like this, I would shop her to the police myself.'

Weaverham borough and parish councillor Richard Gorrill said he was horrified by the incident, which he said was very rare.

He said: 'I am horrified that this has happened and I am sure the parish council will do all it can to help, even put up an reward to catch the perpetrators if necessary.

'As far as I am aware it is the first time anybody has been physically assaulted. There are a lot of older people in Weaverham who don't like going to the shops because of some boisterous youths and this won't do anything to instil confidence.

'We have put in a tremendous amount of effort into reducing anti-social behaviour and we will continue to try and do so.'

A spokesperson for Congleton and Vale Royal Police confirmed they were investigating an assault.

PC Peter White, from Weaverham's Community Action Team, added: 'This is a horrifying incident and I would urge anyone who has any information about this to get in touch with the police on 01606 48000 or myself on 01244