A man was beaten with bats and sticks as he walked home from a party, police said tonight.
The 40-year-old was treated in hospital for injuries to his hands and face following the assault at Ballyclare Court in north Belfast, shortly before 3am.
Police said they do not believe it was a paramilitary attack.
The man and a friend were making their way home when two silver coloured cars stopped beside them.
The occupants got out and assaulted the victim while his friend escaped and called for help.
“A motive for the attack has yet to be established, although police do not believe it to be paramilitary at this stage,” a PSNI spokeswoman said.