A 53-YEAR-OLD man had his leg broken in three places by a pair of thugs who beat him up and hijacked his car.

The attack happened just minutes after the man left his home on the Leyton Grange Estate to go to work at 7am on Monday, February 16.

He opened his garage in Goldsmith Road, and reversed his car out, leaving it facing the garage while he went back to close the garage door. Before he had a chance to get back in the car, he was attacked by two men.

The pair punched him and kicked him to the ground. During the attack, the terrified man shouted out and managed to pull his coat over his head in an effort to protect himself.

After the assault, the pair drove off along Goldsmith Road in the car, a silver Volkswagen Golf, registration HN52.

The victim was taken to Whipps Cross University Hospital by ambulance where he was treated for fractures to his legs and cuts to his face.

The thugs are both described as black men, aged 20, 5ft 10ins tall. They wore dark-hooded tops and dark jeans.

The carjacking is being investigated by the Leyton police robbery unit, which is appealing for witnesses.

A police spokesperson said this was a particularly nasty assault on a person making his way to work.

The police feel there are likely to be a number of witnesses to the crime as the area was extremely busy when the attack took place, and there were a large number of people around making their way to work.

Anyone with any information should contact Det Sgt Paul Brogan of the robbery unit on 8556 8855.