HOODED thugs have forced a veteran milkman to quit his delivery round after 40 years.

The worried family of 70-year-old Brian Cousins made the decision for him to give it up for good after he was hurt in an early-morning scuffle with two youths trying to steal his milk van in Bradford.

The great-granddad was left shaken and badly bruised after the attack in Whitby Street, Girlington.

He was attacked in the same street in September 2014.

Mr Cousins, who started his round at 11.30pm each day delivering his last pint by 8am to 350 customers in the Girlington, Manningham and Allerton area, said he was dismayed at having to give it up.

Describing the attack he said: "I'd just delivered some milk to a house and got half way back to the van when these lads whizzed in from nowhere and jumped in my van.

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"I could see what was happening and I ran like hell, tripped over and crashed into the side of it. I got hold of the door handle and pulled it open.

"There was a bit of a struggle but I managed to yank the door open. I was shouting and screaming for them to get out. I got hold of the driver and pulled him out.

"We had a scuffle and I threw him down the yard. I jumped in and the lad still in the passenger seat jumped out. The other one was trying to get back in but I managed to get into gear and drove off."

He added: "They'd been up to no good. They were all dressed in black, had hoods up and had scarves across their faces."

Despite his ordeal, Mr Cousins, of Liversedge, carried on to finish his round.

Mr Cousins said he did not report the latest attack to police because he made a statement after the first incident which came to no avail.

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"When I got home and told the family it had happened again the decision was made for me then and there that I would call it a day and wouldn't be going back. They were worried it could cost me my life and so was I.

"Because I put up a fight those lads might come back and lie in wait for me with more friends next time, beat me up and smash the van. It's a sad way to end 40 years. I've got customers over three generations. It's the end of an era. I've been getting calls from my old customers and they are disgusted with their own community."

One of his customers Janet Malik-Aziz, who contacted the Telegraph & Argus, she said: "Mr Cousins has served the community for so long. It's a disgrace that these thugs have made him give up a job he has loved. We all miss him and the chats we had."

Mr Cousins, who has four children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, is on the mend now, keeping busy with his duties as secretary of Comrades Working Men's Club in Heckmondwike.

"I miss the old job and my customers but at least I'm still alive," he said.

Inspector Tom Horner, of the Bradford West Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We are concerned to hear about this matter and will get in touch with this gentleman to see if we can take a statement from him and investigate what has taken place.

"A previous assault on him at the location from September 2014 was investigated and a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery.

"Unfortunately a prosecution could not be brought on that occasion for evidential reasons. I can pledge we will fully investigate any reports made to us and we will do all we can to deliver justice for victims. I would always encourage anyone who is a victim of crime to contact the police via 101.”

Former Bradford crime-busting milkman Sean Garvey said he was shocked and sickened to hear what had happened to Mr Cousins.

"I feel sick for him," said Mr Garvey.

"He should have been having a party to be rewarded for 40 years of serving a local community, he shouldn't be forced out by thugs.

"Milkmen are the eyes and ears of communities. They are like watchmen, looking after people. Him going will be a big loss to that area.

"When I was doing the rounds and helping catch criminals I'd hoped it would encourage more people to get milk delivered because then there would be more of us about at night keeping a watch out for them, but sadly it seems more people were tempted by low supermarket prices instead.

"I hope the idiots who tried to take Mr Cousins' van are happy with themselves, they've cost their families and community dear."