29/01/2019

Victim Seriously Injured After Belfast Attack

A man has been left with "shocking" injuries and needing eye surgery following a paramilitary-style attack in north Belfast.

The victim, aged in his 20's, was assaulted by four men who drove him to a lay-by before continuing the attack early on Sunday evening, 27 January.

Police said he managed to make his way to a nearby house before being taken to hospital, where he is still receiving treatment.

Two men, aged 30 and 32, have been arrested under the Terrorism Act and remain in custody, while police hunt two other suspects.

PSNI Detective Inspector Kerry Brennan said: "We received a report about this incident around 5.40pm.

"We believe the man got into car in the Jellicoe Avenue area of the city and was beaten inside it by a number of its occupants, during a journey between this address and a layby on the Flush Road.

"Here, he was taken out of the car and beaten again by four men. The weapons used in the assault include an iron bar, a wheel clamp and a wrench."

As well as severe psychological trauma, the man suffered gashes to his face, an injury to his eye which will require surgery, a broken finger and puncture wounds to both legs.

DI Brennan continued: "We are actively seeking two other men in connection with the incident and are following definite lines of enquiry.

"The lay-by where the young man was attacked is close to a water treatment facility on the Flush Road and I would ask anyone who was in the area around 5.15pm last night and saw a maroon Fiat Punto car driving in the area, or stationary at the side of the road, to get in touch with police.

"Or, if you were driving in this area and have dash-cam footage that could have recorded what happened, again we would like to hear from you."

Investigators are hoping to trace the vehicle's movements during the early part of Sunday evening, and are urging anyone who saw a car matching the description near Jellicoe Avenue at around 5pm, or in the north Belfast area between 4.30pm and 5.30pm, to contact them at Musgrave using non-emergency line 101.



(JG/CM)

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