An assault on a man at his east Belfast home is being treated as sectarian, police have said.
The man opened the front door of his house in Jocelyn Street at about 0100 BST where he was confronted by four men dressed in black and armed with sticks.
The gang dragged him into his living room and beat him repeatedly. He suffered bruising and a facial injury as well as broken ribs.
Police said one of the attackers may have sustained a hand injury.
Local DUP councillor Robin Newton said the attack should be condemned by the entire community.
"It is totally unacceptable in a civilised community that someone opens their front door only to be viciously attacked because of their perceived religion," he said.
Detectives have appealed for anyone who noticed suspicious activity in the area to contact them.