A racist gang hurled bricks at a 62-year-old disabled man as he tried to protect his family at their home in Glasgow.

Police said the group of youths launched a firework at Able Miller's car outside his house in Berryburn Place, Springburn, at 12.45am on Sunday.

Mr Miller, who uses crutches, went out to confront the gang who proceeded to throw bricks at him and shout racist abuse.

The father-of-three, who arrived in the UK from Zimbabwe in 2002 as a refugee, was forced to flee back inside his house as the gang continued to pelt him with bricks.

He was later taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary for treatment for his injuries.

Mr Miller, who is now a British citizen, says he is now wants to move to England after being attacked 17 times at his home in Scotland.

The latest attack was the worst he has faced and left his 13-year-old daughter, who has Down's syndrome, hiding in her room

The 62-year-old, who stood as a member of parliament in Zimbabwe, was previously forced to leave his home country after political rivals shot and burned him.

He said: "In Zimbabwe, I had my back broken in two places and I was shot twice in the left leg. I can't bend my knee and need a walking stick.

"But what happened to me over the weekend was the worst thing I have ever experienced. Nothing compares to that.

"I'm 62 years old. I shouldn't be involved in things like this. My dignity has been taken away. I thought I was going to lose my mind as they were attacking me.

"I cannot stay here anymore, I don't feel safe and I worry for my family. I hope to move to Sheffield and live in the black community there."

The engineer, whose family have lived in Glasgow for ten years, added: "These people have never been prosecuted before and after the latest attack against me and my family, I feel totally helpless.

"I do not feel safe living here. There were shouting at me and calling me a black b*****d, throwing fireworks and bricks at me, and yet no one came to help.

"Glasgow was not always like this. It used to be a much more welcoming place.

"But after the independence referendum and especially leading up the EU referendum, hatred has been created that I have never seen before.

"I want people to realise that it has been difficult for black people here, as well as Polish and other immigrants.

"I have worked for my living; I have not claimed benefits and always pay my bills. I don't deserve to be subjected to this."

Robina Qureshi, director of charity Positive Action in Housing, said: "It says something deeply shameful about a country when a disabled man and his family living peacefully in their Glasgow home feel driven to flee to England to escape racist harassment.

"Able Miller and his family were openly attacked with fireworks by cowardly young men in hoods who think bullying a family is good sport.

"Able Miller and his family were attacked no less than 17 times and nothing has happened to stop it.

"Now that this situation has been highlighted we hope that the police and the housing association finally act on Able Miller's case and do what is necessary to keep him in Scotland and bring those who made his family suffer to justice."

Officers from Police Scotland are now appealing for information in connection with the attack which they are treating as a hate crime.

Area commander chief inspector Steve Hazlett said: "This was a horrific attack on a family home and a father who came out to protect them.

"It is absolutely essential that we trace the cowardly and despicable individuals responsible as soon as possible because this type of behaviour simply will not be tolerated in our community.

"Officers are following a number of lines of enquiry and I am confident that we will find the group of youths who did this but we need the support of the local community to achieve this.

"If you have any information that could assist with our enquiries, no matter how insignificant it might be, please get in touch."

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at Shettleston Police Office via 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.