A gang of masked men dragged a man from his car in Belfast early this morning, drove him to a secluded beauty spot and attacked him.
The victim, aged in his late 40s, was treated in hospital for head wounds after the assault.
His blue Volkswagen Passat car was rammed as he drove through Orchardville Gardens in the Finaghy area at abuot 7am.
The three-man gang forced him into the boot of their black Skoda and then drove to the Divis Mountain area, where they beat him up.
They sped off leaving the man to flag down a passing motorist for help. He was treated in hospital but later discharged. His car was stolen in the incident.
Police, who are still trying to establish a motive for the attack, have appealed for witnesses to come forward. However, they do not believe it was linked to paramilitary activity.