Man nailed to fence in ‘sinister attack’

By , K24 Digital
On Mon, 6 May, 2024 07:15 | < 1 min read
Jackson Keli Mutuku is accused of sneaking into Mwaani Girls’ High School, jumping through a dormitory window and sexually harassing a Form Four student. [PHOTO | FILE]
Wire fence. PHOTO/Print

A man has been taken to hospital following a serious assault in a car park in Bushmills, County Antrim in the early hours of Sunday.

The man in his 20s was found nailed to a fence, with a nail through each hand, shortly after midnight.

Two vans, one belonging to the injured man, were found on fire in the car park near Dundarave Park.

Police said paramilitary involvement was one key line of inquiry.

Graffiti on nearby public toilets has been linked to the assault and arson.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the man was left with potentially life-changing but not life-threatening injuries.

Police said it was a "sinister attack."

"We live in a democratic society where there is no justification for this. Those responsible brutalise their own communities and control others through intimidation and violence."

Crews from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) also attended the scene and extensive damage was caused to both vehicles.

It is understood the man was taken to hospital in a fire engine.

Speaking to BBC News NI on Sunday afternoon, Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said it was a "really shocking incident with levels of, almost, ultra violence".

"We thought these kind of incidents were firmly in our past," he said.

"It's early days and we are keeping an open mind, but this incident bears all the hallmarks of what we would see as paramilitary-style attacks, so that will be one key line of inquiry," he said.

He added that, while the incident happened in a residential area, there are also holiday lets and that it was a busy bank holiday weekend.

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