PSNI investigating attacks in Belfast and Newtownabbey
Homeless man treated for burns to his feet and legs
Police are probing two weekend assaults in Belfast and Newtownabbey.
In the first a homeless man’s tent was set on fire on Middlepath Street on Saturday night.
He was treated for burns to his feet and legs.
Detective Sergeant Dane said: “Shortly before 10.45pm Police received a report that a man, aged in his 20s, had suffered burns to his feet and lower legs after the tent he was sleeping in caught fire. It is believed that the fire may have started sometime before 9.45pm.
“We are working to establish the cause of the fire and I am appealing for anyone who has any information that can assist with the investigation to contact detectives in Musgrave on 101 quoting reference 1215 05/01/19. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent.”
The PSNI is treating the second incident in Newtownabbey as a hate crime.
It follows five men being beaten with baseball bats with one of them having to be hospitalised.
It happened after a gang of men forced their way into a house on Holybank Drive last night.