An Angus man has told how three masked men attacked him with a wooden bat after they tried to steal his car.
Grzegorz Rymarz was left with a black eye and a swollen mouth after being struck during the incident in Arbroath on Thursday.
The 31-year-old mechanic was asleep in his home at Brothock Way when he heard his neighbours’ dogs barking around 12.20am.
His wife Angelika was working night-shift so he was alone in the property with his three-year-old daughter.
He looked out the window and saw three men in dark clothing in the back garden.
Grzegorz came downstairs and by this time the men were in the front driveway acting suspiciously around his blue BMW 3-series.
He went outside to ask what they were doing when he was struck in the face with a wooden bat.
He tried to fight off his attackers before they ran off.
Bruised and bloody, he went inside to phone the police.
“They were all in black and wearing masks,” he said. “I woke up when I heard the dogs and I saw them in the garden.
“I came downstairs and looked outside the window and they were around the car. They were trying to steal the car and I went outside.
“I was hit by a large bat. I’ve got a black eye and my mouth is cut and swollen.
“It could have been worse. It is frightening to think this kind of thing goes on.”
He said it is the first time anything like this has ever happened in his street.
The assault happened around 12.20am.
Two of the people involved are described as being about six feet tall and of heavy build.
The third person is described as being five feet eight inches tall and of muscular build.
They were all wearing dark-coloured clothing, headwear and gloves.
They ran off from the area after the assault.
It is understood police are investigating the possibility that the incident might be linked to the theft of two vehicles were stolen from an address in Anderson Place, Carnoustie, between December 29 and December 30.
The stolen vehicles, a black Audi Quattro and a black Range Rover were recovered by officers in Balgowan Avenue, Dundee a short time later.
A police spokesman said: “In appealing for information, we ask that if you see any suspicious activity ongoing around cars or houses, please contact police immediately on 999.
“Anyone who has information that could assist officers with their enquiries into this crime is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.
“Alternatively information can be passed to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Residents reported police activity in the area in the early hours of the morning.
Door-to-door enquiries are also believed to have been carried out during the day.
