TWO Good Samaritans who helped a Newport man after he was attacked in a "brutal" street robbery are being sought by police.

The 43-year-old victim was punched to the floor and hit repeatedly by two men as he was walking home along Westfield Drive, Malpas, at 12.11am yesterday.

Detective Constable Dave Wakeham, from Bettws CID, is keen to hear from an unknown young couple who assisted the man after the incident.

He said: "They helped the man to a nearby home, where he has friends, but they left before the arrival of police.

"We are keen to speak to them, as they may have seen the incident itself."

The man, who lives locally, had spent the evening at the Malpas Unionist Club, in Malpas Road. DC Wakeham said: "The man was a regular at the club and may have been seen as an easy target.

"He was punched to the floor and then kicked and punched repeatedly to the body.

"We are concerned because of the brutal nature of the attack."

The man was treated for a large graze to his head and other minor injuries at the city's Royal Gwent Hospital, before being released at 7am. DC Wakeham said attackers made off with the man's wallet containing a small amount of cash.

Anyone who was in the area around the time of the attack is asked to contact DC Wakeham at Bettws CID on 01633 245353.

* Three men from Newport, all in their early twenties, were arrested in the Rogerstone area on suspicion of robbery in connection with the incident. The men were last night being questioned by detectives at Newport Central police station.