A man’s front teeth were knocked out during the assault.
Police in Northern Ireland are appealing for information following the assault on a man in Dunmurry in Belfast on Sunday night/Monday morning (21 November/22 November).
PSNI received a report of an assault carried out by four men around midnight on Sunday at the junction of Upper Dunmurry Lane and Victoria Gardens.
“The victim and his partner were on their way home when they were followed by a group of men, who shouted aggressively in their direction,” said Sergeant Hughes of the PSNI.
“One of the group approached and punched the man. And, when he tried to defend himself, the others joined in the attack.
“The victim was kicked and punched around the upper body and head, resulting in his front teeth being knocked out. A shoe mark suggests that his neck was stamped on.”
Sergeant Hughes expressed his gratitude to members of the public who arrived on the scene to assist the couple, at which point the suspects ran away.
“This was a particularly vicious attack, which we’re treating as a sectarian hate crime,” he said.
The man has since received treatment for his injuries in hospital, but remains badly shaken along with his partner following the assault.
PSNI are appealing to anyone with information to contact them on 101 quoting reference 301 of 23/11/21.
Information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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