A father-of-four who was brutally attacked in his own home said he is embarrassed but happy to be nominated for a Merton Civic Award.

Paul Kohler showed extraordinary courage not just when he was faced with four burglars at his Kings Road home in Wimbledon last August but in the aftermath when he refused to allow his injuries and the trauma he suffered to get him down.

He was beaten by three of the men beyond recognition and suffered life-changing injuries including a fractured eye socket, fracture to his left jaw bone, a broken nose and bruising and has permanent double vision in his left eye while defending his family.

He faced the men for the first time at Kingston Crown Court when they were being sentenced for aggravated burglary and grievous bodily harm with intent and read out a moving statement detailing how the attack had impacted on his family and demanding to know why they had done it.

Speaking before the hearing on Friday, Mr Kohler said: "I would be really embarrassed to get an award - I was a victim of crime.

"People have been very sweet about it and said some very nice things.

"I don’t deserve anything."

He said people recognise him in the street after the national press coverage of the attack and aftermath, and offer their apologies for what happened.

Detective inspector Dan O’Sullivan who led the investigation, said: "From our point of view it was a horrific attack.

"It would be well deserved if he does win."

Four men were jailed for between 13 and 19 years for the attack which shocked the community.

Nomination your local hero for a Merton Civic Award now. Click here for a nomination form: http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/mertoncivicawards/