Man beaten with iron bar, wrench and wheel clamp in North Belfast paramilitary style attack

by Q Radio News

A man has been beaten with an iron bar, wheel clamp and wrench while being driven in a car in North Belfast.

The victim, who's in his 20s, got into the vehicle in the Jellicoe Avenue area of the city at around 5.40pm yesterday evening.

It's understood he was beaten by the occupants inside, then pulled out of the car by four men at a layby on Flush Road and beaten again.

The man suffered a number of injuries including gashes to his face, an eye injury which will require surgery, a broken finger and puncture wounds to his legs, in addition to psychological trauma.

Police say the injured man made his way to a nearby house and raised the alarm. 

He was taken to hospital where he is currently being treated.

Two men, aged 30 and 32 have been arrested under the Terrorism Act and remain in police custody. 

The PSNI says it's seeking two other men in connection with the incident and are following definite lines of enquiry.

Detective Inspector Kerry Brennan, who described the attack as "brutal" says: 

“The layby 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 dashcam footage that could have recorded what happened here, again we would like to hear from you.

“We want to trace the car’s movements during the early part of the evening – so if you saw a vehicle matching its description – in the Jellicoe Avenue around 5pm or in the north Belfast area between 4.30pm and 5.30pm, please let us know by contacting detectives at Musgrave on 101 quoting reference number 1007 of 27/1/19.

"Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.