POLICE hope a mobile phone left in a Land Rover will lead them to the gang of thugs who beat up a man.
A forensic examination of the green 4x4 dumped in Oak Lane, Crays Hill, is under way, as checks are carried out on the phone. Police said a dog unit, which was following the vehicle, found it abandoned near the traveller site.
Essex Police spokesman Roger Grimwade said: "It did go on to the traveller site. When the dog unit reached the vehicle it had been abandoned. Officers saw four to five men running across a field to a wooded area, but were too far behind to give chase.
"The vehicle was recovered and is undergoing forensic examination. A mobile phone was found."
Police believe the vehicle was the same as the one driven by the gang which beat up the 36-year-old outside Stock Road newsagent's, in Stock Road, Billericay, at midday on Monday. The Land Rover was found about an hour later.
The men were all white and aged 30 to 35. One had blond hair.
Anyone with information should call PC Jim Worland on 01268 532212.
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