Detectives hunting assailants after 20-against-one mob attack

Police said it happened in the Skeoge Road area, in the city’s north-western side, which is dominated by republicans/nationalists.

The PSNI was told that between 3pm and 4pm, on Saturday the victim – a man in his 20s – was driving in the vicinity of Clon Elagh (a new housing estate) when he was stopped by the group.

The PSNI said: “The driver-side door of the vehicle was opened and the victim was repeatedly punched in the face. An attempt was also made to pull the man out of his vehicle.

“The victim sustained a suspected broken nose and lost two teeth in the attack before managing to flee his attackers. The windscreen of his vehicle was smashed and its tyres were slashed during the incident.”

Detective Sergeant Gavin McLaughlin added that it was “an appalling attack” which had left the man “extremely distressed”.

“We are working to establish a motive,” he added.

“I am appealing to anyone who was on Skeoge Road yesterday and witnessed this incident to get in touch with detectives at Strand Road on 101, quoting reference number 1387 of 14/11/20.”

You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/

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