A MAN was stabbed in the buttocks and brutally beaten after he tried to stop a man stealing his packet of cigarettes.

The man, 27, was walking along High Road, Leyton, He refused and the robber snatched them out of his pocket. The man ran after him and took the cigarettes back.

The robber took out a knife, stabbed him in the buttocks, knocked him to the ground and started to beat him.

At some point the victim realised that four other men joined in beating him before running off towards the BP Garage.

He managed to limp down the road where he was picked up by an ambulance and taken to Whipps Cross University Hospital. DC Karen McGarry who is heading the investigation is looking for five men but has only a vague description of one. He was black, around 20 and wearing dark clothing.

Contact her on 8556 8855 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with any information about the incident on Friday evening, July 8.