A PASTOR was tied up and beaten in a “vicious attack” in a derelict church.

Police are hunting five men who attacked the youth pastor as they barged into St Augustine’s Church in Stanford Avenue, Brighton, on Monday.

The 33-year-old from Kosovo, who is also a caretaker, was checking the church at 9.30pm when three British and two Eastern European men launched into an unprovoked attack.

Senior pastor Christie Smith, of Brighton Elim which looks after the church, said: “They were banging on the door and as he opened it smacked him in the face.

“They tied him up with wire from a lamp, hit him with a crow bar, stamped on him, one put his foot on his throat as they ransacked the church.

“He has told me periodically they came back to punch him. Four of them were wearing masks but one – who grabbed his throat and said he would kill him if he ever saw him again – wasn’t.”

Mr Smith is now caring for the terrorised victim, who did not wish to be named, after he was discharged from hospital yesterday morning.

He said the gang demanded gold and money, adding: “The church didn’t have any so instead they made off with a laptop, mobile phone and a jumper they had pulled from him.

“He has a lot of facial injuries, a fractured cheek bone, a damaged nose, bruising.

“It was excessive violence and there was no need for it. Nothing like this has ever happened. It is a nice area and maybe they got the wrong building.

“I hope people will come forward with information to bring these dangerous men to justice.”

Detective Sergeant Cheryl Lewendon, of Brighton CID, said patrols were being stepped up in the area to reassure people.

She said: “The victim suffered some really nasty injuries and we are keen to speak to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious, or who may have other information.

“House-to-house enquiries are being made but this would appear to be an isolated incident.”

The church is no longer used for worship but is due to become a community centre as part of a development by Roche Barrett Estates. No-one from the company responded to The Argus yesterday.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting 1583 of 27/10.