Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted in Harcourt Road in Swindon at 12.30am last night.
The victim was approached by three men dressed in black who threw a solvent based liquid at him and hit him with a cricket bat.
The man was made to hand over his money and mobile phone and the attackers ran off towards the town centre.
The men were carrying pieces of wood and a white plastic container.
PC Matt Lewis said: "This attack could have been a lot more serious if the liquid had have gone in the victim's eye.
It was only by chance that only a small amount was thrown."
Anyone who saw the men in the area of Cheney Manor last night are urged to contact PC Matt Lewis at Gablecross police station on 0845 408 7000 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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