Hotel Front, Lewisham Way. Source: AFP

Armed robbers viciously attacked and tortured a “heroic” night porter at Jury’s Hotel in Lewisham last night before fleeing the scene with only £15.

Police are looking for two men, believed to be local, in connection with the attack on Frank Stuart, 51, after they broke into the hotel through a rear window at 3:30am.

Wife, Maureen Stuart, 53, said, “He thought it was a joke but after seeing the expression on the mans face he knew they meant business.

“The worse they got with their attacks the more determined he was not to let them get away with it.”

Stuart was bound and taken into the basement, after confronting the two men who were stealing from a fruit machine, where the assailants demanded the location of hotel safe keys.

Detective Inspector James Dallowey said, “one man hit [Frank] on the shoulders and arms with a hammer, but when it was apparent Mr Stuart was not going to tell them, the second man pulled out a knife and started cutting Stuart on the hands and face.

Jeramy Bates, manager of the Jury said, “We think frank is a hero and the hotel owners are offering a £500 award for the capture of these men.”