News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A British soldier was attacked by a group of 15 thugs and hit by a car in a horror New Year's Day incident after allegedly being branded "scum" for being in the army.

The 21-year-old Yorkshire regiment serviceman, named locally as Joshua Adams-Mitchell was hit by a blue Mercedes in the early hours of New Year's Day outside the TBC nightclub in Batley, police said.

It is understood that Mr Adams-Mitchell suffered damage to one lung, facial fractures and possible nerve damage to one leg which has left him unable to walk.

Online reports claim witnesses saw a group of around 15 men set upon Joshua and a friend after hearing them talking about their tours of duty.

However, West Yorkshire Police said they have no evidence that he was targeted due to his service in the armed forces.

Police said one man had been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent in connection with the attack.

According to the website Police Hour, an online news website for the 'policing family' in the UK, the solider was set upon just before 5am on New Year's Day outside the TBC nightclub.

(Image: Hudd Exam/MEN MEDIA)

The website claims a 'large number of males' attacked Joshua after 'discovering he was a serving member of the British Army'.

It stated: "Eyewitnesses have told Police Hour a large number of males attacked the soldier after discovering he was a serving member of the British Army.

"They began by calling the scum and becoming threatening towards the male in his 20s - both the male and his friend were attacked by the large group of males."

It added: "As he attempted to flee the scene and avoid the trouble to diffuse the situation it is alleged that one of the males jumped into his Mercedes and proceeded to mount the kerb and mow down the soldier."

(Image: Hudd Exam/MEN MEDIA)

The injured soldier's sister Emma wrote online: "This is my little brother Joshua. He is badly hurt and in the hospital - his girlfriend is also expecting.

"This was an unprovoked attack on a young lad just trying to enjoy his leave he could of died from the impact of the car - we are lucky he didn't."

A GoFundMe page has already raised more than £1,000 for Joshua, who is believed to be out of danger now, but remains in intensive care in Leeds General Infirmary.

Members of the public can be seen rushing to the aid of Joshua in a video taken by witness Arfan Asif.

He said: "I was at the lights and saw someone in the middle of the road surrounded by security people, no emergency vehicles were there.

"As I drove past I saw one guy holding a vehicle licence plate."

Music from the club can be heard as a group of men try to help the stricken man, who remains motionless on the ground.

(Image: Hudd Exam/MEN MEDIA)

One of the men, who appears to be a member of staff from the bar, is seen holding a number plate in his hand while several vehicles crawl past the scene.

An eyewitness told the Examiner Live how the Mercedes was doing 'around 50mph' when it hit the soldier.

She said: "He was walking across the road and a dark coloured Mercedes flew past and hit him.

“The car must have been doing 50mph. He just flew up in the air.

“He flew into the concrete so he was grazed all over. Blood was coming from his nose and from a cut on his head.

“I was sat holding his head, trying to stop the bleeding...I thought he was going to die."

“It was horrible. His friend was crying and couldn’t get hold of the lad’s mum. I was trying to make sure they got hold of his mum.

“It was disgusting. I have never seen anything like it in my life. I just hope he is okay."

(Image: Hudd Exam/MEN MEDIA)

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "Police have arrested a man as part of their investigation in to an incident outside TBC nightclub in Batley.

"The incident happened around 4:41am on New Year’s Day outside the TBC nightclub.

"There was an altercation inside the club with a group of males which then proceeded outside the premises.

"A 21-year-old male was then knocked down by a blue Mercedes and seriously injured.

"This incident is being treated as a serious assault.

"The blue Mercedes fled the scene but was later recovered by police.

"Police can confirm that the 21-year-old male victim in this matter is a serving member of HM Forces."

(Image: Hudd Exam/MEN MEDIA)

He added: "The victim is in a serious but stable and conscious state, talking to family at his bedside and when he is ready the police will be speaking to him.

"The full circumstances leading to the point at which the victim was struck by the vehicle are under investigation."

"A 27-year-old man from Dewsbury has been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent."

Chief Inspector Ben Ryder, said: “We would like to reassure service personnel that police have no evidence that the victim has been targeted due to his service in the army, or that it is motivated by racism.

“We remain open-minded and would urge anyone who witnessed the incident or has any further information to come forward to assist with our investigation.”