Child escapes injury as man and woman attacked by masked gang

By David Hunter

A young child has escaped injury after three masked men forced their way into a house in West Belfast and assaulted a man and woman. 

The woman was grabbed by the throat and forced upstairs in the Brittons Parade area of Ballymurphy at around 10.15 last night. 

One of the men carried out a search whilst the other assailants took the man in the house into the kitchen. 

He was attacked with a knife sustaining injuries to one of his hands, face and head. 

Detective Sergeant Dave Stewart said: " There were three occupants in the house at the time, two adults and a young child. 

"Upon entry one of the masked men is reported to have gone into the living room and grabbed the female occupant by her neck and forced her upstairs where he carried out a search.

"The other two suspects made their way into the kitchen area where it was reported they attacked the male occupant with a knife. He sustained injuries to one of his hands, and to his face and head. 

"The intruders subsequently made off on foot. 

"The male was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries, while the female was also taken to hospital for treatment to shock. 

"This was a brutal and vicious attack which must have been a frightening experience for the occupants of this house, who have understandably been left shaken by their ordeal. "