A DISABLED man said he was dragged naked from his house before being beaten with his own crutches.

Peter Owens, from Hartlepool, who weighs 30 stones, suffered two broken ribs and bruising to his face and body, in the early-morning attack.

Mr Owens, 35, said the incident happened after he had hobbled to his front door when he heard it being kicked.

Wrapped only in a blanket, he was grabbed and pulled into the street and assaulted.

He was hit with one of his own reinforced walking sticks, which cracked.

The former engineer said he was then hit in the mouth with a metal instrument.

Mr Owens, who suffers with angina, diabetes, a tumour in his testicles, high-blood pressure and a shadow on his lung, was rushed to the University Hospital of Hartlepool, where he spent the night.

He is still recovering from the ordeal at his family home in Stotfold Street.

He said: "I was frightened for my life. I'm a big bloke, so it must have taken some force to break my ribs. I was starkers, just laid outside, helpless."

The assault lasted for a few minutes until his wife Barbara, 52, called the police.

Mr Owens has three children and three step-children.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman confirmed the incident at 12.40pm on Saturday, last week.

She said: "Two men have been arrested and are helping police with inquiries regarding an incident of assault."