Online video shows mob of Chinese villagers tie up pregnant woman and savagely beat her

HORRIFIC video has emerged of the moment an expectant mother was tied to a tree and beaten because she was accused of being a thief.

The Mirror reports the vision, that we have chosen not to show, appeared on social media in China at the start of the week before quickly going viral.

The woman, known only as Ms Lu, can be seen tied to a tree, barely conscious, while a number of men kick and punch her.

It"s believed the attack took place in a village near Taizhou city, easte China on August 29.

Local media report that the woman had been caught stealing in the past and when she retued to the area, residents tued against her.

A large group of people appear to stand by and watch the awful punishment.

Bowen Press report police confirmed she had broken into the home of a man on August 18 and tried to steal $200.

"This is not the first time she came to steal things from the village,” one local told the newspaper.

"Last time she was let go but then she came back.”

At the end of the video an older woman can be seen helping the pregnant woman.

She was taken to hospital and treated for non life threatening injuries.

A man handed himself into police soon after the attack.

He was sentenced to eight days jail and fined the equivalent of $70.