A NEWPORT father says he is suffering from depression and acute anxiety after he and his two sons were subjected to a vicious attack.

Philip Jennings, 47, was set upon by a gang of four after intervening when one of the gang, Kyle Gettings, started shouting at three girls in Waltwood Park Drive, Underwood.

Mr Jennings, who had been walking home, was pushed to the floor, punched and kicked by all four of the gang, then pinned to a fence and attacked again, Newport crown court heard yesterday.

His wife Cynthia ran for help but when his sons Lloyd, 19, and Donovan, 23, went to his aid the brothers were both punched and fell to the floor where they were kicked and stamped on by the defendants.

Three of the gang were sentenced yesterday - one was locked up for 18 months.

But after the hearing, Mr Jennings said he felt "let down by the system" after two of his attackers were given community sentences.

The last gang member was due to be sentenced today.

Mr Jennings, who moved to the area from South Africa in 1999, said he was receiving treatment for depression and acute anxiety following the attack in which his nose was broken.

His son Donovan suffered a fractured eye socket, bruising and swelling, and Lloyd suffered cuts, bruises and swelling to his face.

Mr Jennings said: "I expected them all to go to jail. If the government wants to do something to make the streets safer, they need to bring in harsher punishments.

"We have stood up and reported this and gone all the way, now we feel let down by the system.

"It's the duty of the courts and police to refuse to put up with this. "This is why we're not getting rid of this type of people. The sentences aren't strong enough."

His wife Cynthia added: "There's no justice as far as I'm concerned."