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Man beaten with baseball bats in east Belfast hate crime

The scene after an attack on a man in east Belfast by a gang armed with baseball bats is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Expand

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The scene after an attack on a man in east Belfast by a gang armed with baseball bats is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

The scene after an attack on a man in east Belfast by a gang armed with baseball bats is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

The scene after an attack on a man in east Belfast by a gang armed with baseball bats is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

A man was beaten by a gang with baseball bats during a racially-motivated hate crime in Belfast, police have said.

It was reported that up to six masked and armed men forced their way into a house at Knock Grove in the east of the city at around 6pm on Sunday.

The male occupant was beaten with baseball bats and suffered bruising to his head and body.

The scene after an attack on a man in east Belfast by a gang armed with baseball bats is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Expand

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The scene after an attack on a man in east Belfast by a gang armed with baseball bats is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

The scene after an attack on a man in east Belfast by a gang armed with baseball bats is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

The scene after an attack on a man in east Belfast by a gang armed with baseball bats is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

A woman and small child who also live at the address were unharmed, but left badly shaken.

The gang fled the scene following the assault.

A PSNI spokesperson said: "The incident is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime and detectives are appealing for anyone with any information to contact them at Musgrave on 101 quoting reference number 1345 08/03/20."

The scene after an attack on a man in east Belfast by a gang armed with baseball bats is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Expand

Close

The scene after an attack on a man in east Belfast by a gang armed with baseball bats is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

The scene after an attack on a man in east Belfast by a gang armed with baseball bats is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

The scene after an attack on a man in east Belfast by a gang armed with baseball bats is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime. Credit: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Belfast Telegraph