Man injured in paramilitary-style shooting

A man has been treated in hospital for a gunshot wound to his leg following a paramilitary-style shooting in Co Down.

At around 9pm last night, the 55-year-old victim was walking his dog at the bus turning circle in Bowtown estate in Newtownards when he was approached by four masked men. The men then forced him to the ground before shooting him once.

Elsewhere, detectives at Antrim have appealed for information following an armed robbery at a grocery store in the Stiles area of the town last night.

At about 8.50pm, a man, armed with a handgun, entered the shop on the Greystone Road. After threatening staff, the robber climbed over the counter and grabbed a sum of cash from the till. He then made off on foot.

And in Broughshane in Ballymena, two masked men – each armed with handguns – made off with a sum of cash and a large quantity of cigarettes after robbing a village shop last night.

At about 10.20pm the robbers entered the store and forced two female members of staff to hand over a sum of cash. One of the thieves also stole a box containing a large quantity of cigarettes of various brands.

The robbers are believed to have driven off in a dark blue Peugeot 206 in the direction of Glenarm.

Police have appealed for anyone with information on either incident to come forward.

(GMcG)