Masked Gang Beat Man And Bundle Him In Car Boot

Police are searching for four masked men after a 34-year-old man was beaten and bundled into the boot of a BMW in Scotland.

Neighbours told of their shock after seeing the attack in a residential area of East Kilbride on Tuesday night.

The victim was assaulted in Stewartfield Grove and then chased into nearby MacLean Crescent.

The four men, wearing dark clothes, then threw him into a black BMW and drove off at high speed.

Police believe he was driven 20 miles to the Brownrigg Road area of Slamannan, and attacked again.

He suffered injuries to his head, hands and feet. Hospital staff describe his condition as serious but stable.

Several neighbours in the Stewartfield area told the Daily Record they heard shouting and screeching tyres.

One woman was woken by the noise and saw the victim beaten and thrown into the car.

"Three men got out of a black BMW and the driver stayed in the car," she said.

"There was a struggle and a man was struck with a pole then put into the boot. The pole was dropped as they left.

"It was all a bit scary - I was really shaken up. I don't know if it was one of the neighbours they took or a stranger."

Detective Inspector Kevin Jamieson, from Lanarkshire CID, said officers believe it was a targeted attack.

"This was a particularly violent and terrifying attack in a residential area which was witnessed by members of the local community," he said.

"The victim is still receiving treatment in hospital and as a result has been unable to assist officers with their inquiries so far.

"It is of utmost importance that we trace the men responsible as soon as possible and I am appealing directly for every person who may have witnessed what happened to contact police."

The attack happened yards from where a gangland kneecapping victim was dumped in March, the Daily Record said.

The 45-year-old man was shot in the kneecaps and thrown down a bank on Stewartfield Way.

The victim, who was dressed in a white forensics suit, is thought to have been held by his captors for two days before being shot.