A MASKED attacker hit a North Yorkshire man over the head with a mallet when he refused to hand over his car keys.
Police said the intruder went into the middle-aged man's garage at Aldborough, near Boroughbridge, and demanded the keys.
North Yorkshire Police spokesman Tony Lidgate said: "The householder argued and the intruder hit him with a wooden mallet that was in the garage."
Mr Lidgate said the victim received a "nasty" head wound for which he was treated in hospital.
The attacker ran off empty handed. He is described as tall and slim, wearing a knitted balaclava, a baseball cap, a thigh length dark anorak, dark trousers and black woollen gloves.
The attack happened at about 6.30pm on Tuesday. Anyone with information is asked to phone the police on 01609 783131.
Updated: 09:41 Thursday, June 05, 2003
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