A 46-year-old man sustained fractured ribs and a collar bone when he was assaulted by three men armed with knives and wearing balaclavas in his home in north Belfast on Christmas Eve.
The aggravated burglary occurred at Atlantic Avenue.
Detective Sergeant Gardiner said shortly after 11pm, it was reported that the man answered the front door.
“As he opened the door of the property, three men wearing balaclavas entered and brought the man into his flat. The men, armed with knives demanded money from the man and then assaulted him,” he said.
The man sustained stab wounds to his head and body, which were not believed to be life threatening. He also sustained fractured ribs and a fractured collar bone during the assault.
He was taken to hospital for treatment.
One of the men is described as being of stocky build and 5ft 10″ in height. He was wearing a light coloured jacket, dark trousers and gloves.
The second man is described as being of medium build, 5ft 8″ in height and he was wearing a dark top, possibly a coat, dark bottoms and gloves.
The third man is described is being of slight build and 6ft 2″ in height. He was described as wearing a dark jacket, dark bottoms and gloves.
“This was a brutal assault on a man in his home. Although he was not seriously injured, he was left very badly shaken following this ordeal. This traumatic assault took place in the victim’s own home; somewhere he rightly deserves to feel safe.
“Our enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances and we would appeal to anyone in the area who witnessed anything suspicious to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 1878 24/12/19. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime,” added the Detective Sergeant.