A man was repeatedly punched and kicked by a gang who had tried to snatch his mobile phone.
Three thugs asked the 21-year-old victim for the time and tried to grab the handset when he pulled it out of his pocket.
The attackers punched and kicked the victim as they attempted to take the phone from him.
However, they ran away when a car drove past. Police have urged the driver to come forward.
The attack happened between 2.30am and 2.40am on Thursday, December 27 in Heacham Drive, Beaumont Leys, Leicester as the victim walked home after a night out.
Police released details today and urged witnesses, particularly the motorist who drove past the scene as the assault was happening, to come forward.
Detective Constable Kim Potter, the investigating officer, said: "We believe these men ran off when they saw the car pass.
"There is a possibility the driver of this car may have witnessed the actual assault or saw the route these man took after.
"We would urge this person or anyone else who may know about this incident to please contact police as soon as they can."
The men are white and 21 to 25. One was wearing a black jacket, black bottoms and black Nike trainers.
The second was wearing a black jacket, black bottoms and a black baseball cap whilst the third man was wearing a dark jacket, brown jeans, white plimsoll trainers and red baseball cap.
Contact Det Con Potter on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
Three thugs asked the 21-year-old victim for the time and tried to grab the handset when he pulled it out of his pocket.
The attackers punched and kicked the victim as they attempted to take the phone from him.
However, they ran away when a car drove past. Police have urged the driver to come forward.
The attack happened between 2.30am and 2.40am on Thursday, December 27 in Heacham Drive, Beaumont Leys, Leicester as the victim walked home after a night out.
Police released details today and urged witnesses, particularly the motorist who drove past the scene as the assault was happening, to come forward.
Detective Constable Kim Potter, the investigating officer, said: "We believe these men ran off when they saw the car pass.
"There is a possibility the driver of this car may have witnessed the actual assault or saw the route these man took after.
"We would urge this person or anyone else who may know about this incident to please contact police as soon as they can."
The men are white and 21 to 25. One was wearing a black jacket, black bottoms and black Nike trainers.
The second was wearing a black jacket, black bottoms and a black baseball cap whilst the third man was wearing a dark jacket, brown jeans, white plimsoll trainers and red baseball cap.
Contact Det Con Potter on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
