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A dad of-two claims he almost drowned after he was punched in the face and knocked into a canal by a hooded thug.

Dad-of-two Lee Skinner, 38, revealed he only escaped the freezing water by speaking to his assailant and other youths in Arabic.

Lee, a former language teacher, said the thug who punched him was waiting for him as he struggled to get out of the canal.

But the gang, all aged around 17, fled after he started speaking Arabic and are now being hunted by police, the Birmingham Mail reports.

(Image: BPM)

Media lecturer Lee from Olton, had needed hospital treatment for his injuries after the 3pm attack on the canalside in Yardley Road, Acocks Green, Birmingham, on Sunday.

He said: “The police praised me and said my speaking in Arabic showed quick-thinking.

"They said my actions could have stopped the situation from being a lot worse.”

Lee was jogging towards a bridge when he tried to pass the youths, who he believes were all from the Pakistani community.

He said: “There were five in total, all wearing grey and black, casual clothing, puffy coats, caps and hoods.

“The guy who punched me was rounded in the face and had neat, tidy stubble. The other four were quite slim."

He added: “As I jogged past, the one with a rounded face punched me full force with his left hand, into my right cheek.

"I went up into the air and into the water. I sank and was completely submerged, my feet were not touching the bottom.

"I opened my eyes and could see brown muddy swirl around me.

(Image: BPM)

“The water was so cold that I couldn’t breathe properly. All I could do was kick my feet to get to the surface.

“The one who punched me was waiting at the side of the canal with an incredible look of pleasure on his face. He was waiting to watch me suffer or to come back so he could hit me again.”

It was at this point that bilingual Lee began to speak in Arabic.

He said: “I was able to identify them as Pakistani as I’ve worked in Muslim communities and have a detailed knowledge of Islam and speak Arabic to a certain level. I also used to teach asylum seekers for a while.

“So in that moment I said something in Arabic - a Muslim declaration of faith. As soon as I said it, a look of panic spread across their faces. I then shouted in Arabic, ‘May God forgive you’.

“At that moment they looked like a bunch of terrified schoolchildren. That’s what ended it. It would have been prolonged otherwise, I believe.

“What I said made me human to them, gave me an identity. They started seeing me as a person.”

(Image: BPM)

Struggling Lee managed to pull himself from the icy waters, cutting his legs badly in the process.

His mobile phone, keys and glasses were lost in the canal, along with a memory stick containing college lessons.

Lee caught up with four of the group and spoke to them about the positive aspects of Mohammed and Islam "and how their actions had been completely contrary to this".

He said they apologised and walked off, although the youth who punched him had run off in a different direction.

He added: "The four boys admitted that the attack happened because I was white and I explained that in the current political climate, such actions could have a negative effect on the Muslim Pakistani community which they are supposed to be representing. They were very ashamed and embarrassed.”

As he headed home along the canal Lee spotted the man who had attacked him - and called police after approaching a dog walker for use of his mobile.

He was taken to hospital by officers who are now checking CCTV for clues and appealing for witnesses.

He said the punch damaged his teeth, cheekbone and neck muscles.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “Police were called to the Grand Union Canal in Acocks Green just after 3pm on Sunday 15 January where a jogger was punched by a youth as he ran past him on the towpath.

“The man fell in the canal and was prevented from getting out by his assailant. He swam to the other side where he was able to get out and seek help from a passerby.

“Officers arrived within minutes and the man was later treated for bruising to his face. Officers searched the area and have trawled CCTV but the offender has not been traced.

“Anyone with information should call police on 101.”