A father of two died from head injuries after trying to save a schoolgirl from being attacked by a gang of teenagers, it emerged today.

Thomas Noble was allegedly struck on the head and fell awkwardly to the ground during the assault close to his home in Sunderland.

The 53-year-old taxi driver had been fighting for his life since the assault in the Roker area of the city on Friday night but died in hospital on Sunday.

He had rushed from the family home to help after hearing the young girl scream as she was surrounded by a gang of youths outside an off-licence.

During the incident Mr Noble was allegedly hit from behind with a weapon and he fell and smashed his head on the pavement.

Emergency crews were called to the scene of the attack in Roker Baths Road, just yards from his terraced house in Moreland Street.

Mr Noble's ex-wife, Pat Scott, told The Journal: ''We've been told he was trying to stop a young girl being assaulted.

''It was a gang of youths and he was trying to protect a female.''

A Northumbria Police spokesman said a post-mortem examination revealed Mr Noble had died from head injuries.

:: A boy of 16 was remanded in custody by Sunderland magistrates yesterday accused of manslaughter.