treatment after being savagely attacked by a thug.

Mr. Thomas was punched on the back of the head, struck with a bottle, and battered with a metal object.

Last night, he was recuperating after receiving two stitches and undergoing X-rays.

The attack occurred at about 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Devil's Hole corner, outside Harrington Workmen's Club.

Mr. Thomas, president of the club, was driving to his Smith's home when he spotted three youths in their early 20s outside the building.

"He went up to them to make sure they left the place clean because often beer bottles are dumped there,'' said his son Mr. Marico Thomas, who runs the family business, Four-Star Pizza.

"One of the two fellows became abusive and stood just inches from my father's nose and was screaming and shouting. He also began spitting in his face.

"The fellow then threw a punch, but my father blocked it. He is a former boxer and could have easily settled the issue there and then, but decided to walk away instead.

"As he did so, he was punched on the back of the head. He turned around and the fellow suddenly raised a beer bottle which he broke on my father's head above his ear.'' Mr. Thomas, a former Policeman, said a scuffle ensued.

"This guy then produced a machine part with which he struck my father underneath the temple, and cut him along the cheek.

"My father fell to the ground and was bleeding over his ear.'' Mr. Thomas said his father, who is in his 50s, rang him up with his cellular phone before going to hospital.

"He was in the hospital for six hours. I don't know how he is now, although he had been complaining of headaches.'' He added: "The whole incident was so unnecessary. My father had even intended opening up his club to these youths over the weekend.

"But he never even got the chance to do so. He was attacked from behind.'' Mr. Thomas voiced concern at the way Bermudians were coping with the wave of violence sweeping the Island.

"The problem is people have no respect for their elders these days.''