MASKED robbers beat a man with a baseball bat in the mistaken belief he had a safe full of valuables.
The gang of four, clad in balaclavas, attacked 44-year-old Kevin Taylor after breaking into his house as he slept.
After failing to find the safe, they left with just a small amount of cash and a mobile phone, which was later found a short distance away.
Mr Taylor, of New Street in Slaithwaite, needed hospital treatment for cuts and bruises following the terrifying incident shortly before midnight on Monday.
His father, Ken, who set up Slaithwaite haulage company Ken Taylor Transport, where Kevin works as yard manager, said: “The door was completely knocked in and these men came in with masks. They had a big hammer and a baseball bat and started braying him.
“They kept asking him to take them to the safe, even though there isn’t one.
“He had to go for hospital for bruising to his back, arms and legs and cuts to his head.”
Mr Taylor said he had no idea who carried out the attack.
“We think it must be a random attack,” he said. “Either they were looking for something big, or it was a vengeance thing, but Kevin doesn’t have any enemies.”
After the gang left, Kevin Taylor managed to alert neighbours who called the police.
Det Con Russ Conlon, of Huddersfield CID, said: “This was a nasty attack on a man in his own home.
“Clearly these men planned the robbery and should be considered dangerous. We want to find them as a matter of urgency.”
All four men were dressed in all-black clothing as well as balaclavas.
Contact Huddersfield CID on 01484 436685 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
