The 43-year-old man was at home at his flat in Dewsbury when assailants overpowered him.

The incident took place in School Lane, Dewsbury Moor, just a short walk from the home of Shannon Matthews, who went missing almost a week ago.

But last night police said they did not believe the assault had any connection with the missing girl.

It is thought the incident may have been drug-related.

The man was injured in the attack but police said they did not believe the injuries were serious. It was not clear last night exactly how or where the nails had been driven in.

Neighbours of the man said they were woken by police officers on Sunday night and yesterday heard a man had been attacked.

Resident Christine Burns said: "We heard that someone had been crucified. A friend told us that someone had nailed him to two pieces of wood and then nailed him to a tree. I think someone had come to settle a score with him and they have settled it."

Mrs Burns's husband Peter said: "A friend of mine could not get home because of the police cordon. We heard someone had been crucified. If this is true, it is bloody awful."

Another neighbour, Sam Sabar Niwas, said the man's flat and part of the communal garden area were cordoned off with police tape for several hours.

"One of the neighbours told me that they had nailed this lad to a tree. I can believe that it happened."

Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "Stories are going around that he was nailed to a cross. It doesn't surprise me. There are all sorts of people who live round here. There's always some trouble."

Yesterday the flat was guarded at the front and rear by two police community support officers.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said officers were called to School Lane on Sunday night.

"We are investigating an assault on a 43-year-old man which came in just after 11pm on Sunday. He was not believed to have been seriously injured."