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A man has been beaten about the head and body with a hammer and other weapons in what police are treating as a racially motivated hate crime.

Three armed men forced entry to a flat in Main Street, Dungiven shortly before midnight on Thursday and attacked Mark Piff as he lay in bed. Police have described it as an aggravated burglary.

"This was a vicious attack on a defenceless man in his own home," said Det Insp Peter McKenna.

Mark Piff said he "fears for his life".

'Don't want to go out'

"I was in my bed after I finished work at half past nine and then a bang on the door and three masked men came in and started hitting me with hammers and other stuff," said Mr Piff.

He said one of the masked men shouted racial abuse at him.

Mr Piff, who is originally from England but now works in Dungiven, said he was now considering moving out of the area.

"I don't want to go out anymore after the beating I have been given," he told �鶹Լ�� Radio Foyle.

Mr Piff believes he was attacked solely because of the colour of his skin.

'A savage attack'

Sinn Féin councillor Sean McGlinchey condemned the attack and said he had been inundated with calls from residents angered by the incident.

"Mark has the full support of the people of Dungiven," said Mr McGlinchey.

Police said Mr Piff's attackers were described as "white males in their mid-20s with local accents and all three had their faces covered with scarves".

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.