A soldier back home from serving in Iraq says he was attacked by a gang of thugs after one of them threatened to rape his wife.

Lee Edwards, with his son Callum and wife Kate

Sgt Lee Edwards was hit over the head with a bottle after approaching youths who had hurled insults at him and his wife. He is now calling for the removal of the new youth shelter in Appleford Drive, Abingdon, where the group was gathered.

Sgt Edwards said: "I don't need to go to Iraq to deal with trouble. We are fighting a battle against young thugs in a decent part of Abingdon."

Sgt Edwards, 37, of Appleford Drive, was with his wife Kate, 31, and son Callum, seven, walking their puppy when they received abuse from teenagers gathered in the shelter. He said: "They verbally abused us and threatened to rape my wife when they saw her again. I went back to remonstrate with them and four of them attacked me. I was hit over the back of the head with a bottle.

"My wife tried to help me and was cut by glass from the broken bottle. They kicked and spat at us. Callum ran off with the dog to get help and we managed to get across the road to our house. But the gang of about 11 followed us, throwing cans and litter. They dispersed when we got into the house."

Sgt Edwards was treated by paramedics and had three stitches. His wife was treated for minor injuries.

Mrs Edwards said: "Callum has been so upset by the experience that he slept with us for two nights and now stays with his aunt in another part of Abingdon. "I am scared to go out on my own and when we come back home in the car and drive up the road the sight of the shelter sends shivers down my spine. We have had the house alarmed and the letter box is taped up."

The couple were married only four months ago. Mrs Edwards said: "I always prayed Lee would return safely from Iraq. He did return and then gets attacked virtually on his own doorstep."

Insp David Creech of Abingdon police said: "This was a serious, traumatic incident for Mr Edwards and his family and cannot be tolerated. We expect to make arrests by the weekend."

The £7,000 metal shelter was erected earlier this month following requests from young people but it has been covered with graffiti.

Residents have been issued with "incident diaries" in which to log the behaviour of young people using the shelter.

District councillor Laurel Symons said: "The future of the shelter will be in doubt if there is a trend of bad behaviour, but we will have to assess the feedback received from local residents before any decisions are taken."

Anyone with information about the attack should call Pc Steve Pedley 0845 8505505.