An armed trio left a shop worker unconscious after an assault in Wigan.
Police are now appealing for information about the incident, which took place shortly before 8.20pm on Thursday 8 February, on Wigan Road in Bryn.
At around 8pm, a man walked in to a McColls shop and asked for cigarettes from the cashier.
The man attempted to make a contactless card payment for over the maximum spend and was challenged about the card by the cashier.
He then snatched the cigarettes and fled. The shop worker ran after him but once outside the man punched him before two other offenders armed with a crow bar approached and attacked him too.
The offenders fled in a dark coloured Audi in the direction of Ashton, leaving the employee unconscious on the ground.
The victim, who is in his 30s, was taken to hospital where he was treated for his injuries which included broken bones and bruising.