Hammer attack victim 'critical'

A man was fighting for his life tonight after a savage hammer attack at his home.

Police were treating as the assault by burglars in south Belfast as attempted murder.

The 54-year-old victim was battered around the head as the gang of four attempted to rob his home early this morning.

He was rushed to hospital where his condition was described as critical.

One man was later arrested after a car containing four men was stopped by police.

Detective Chief Inspector Will Kerr appealed for help to catch those responsible.

“The police are treating this as attempted murder and we will continue to do so. Obviously our thoughts continue to be with his family,” he said.

The man was in bed with his wife in Strangford Avenue in the Malone area of the city when a gang broke in around 6.30am and attacked him.

They left after stealing the couple’s house and car keys and used their Vauxhall Frontera car to ram through the driveway gates.

The gang then made their way to a second house in the street where they attacked an elderly man and his son with a hammer before attempting to steal their car.

The son sustained a head injury while his father suffered a blow to his wrist.

The men went to nearby Harberton Park where they hijacked a white Volkswagen Polo and were driving along Balmoral Avenue when police stopped the vehicle.

Two of the men ran off towards Musgrave Park Hospital while a third man ran towards the Boucher Road.

A fourth man was arrested close to the scene.

Local Assembly member Carmel Hanna, of the SDLP, called for more police officers on the streets and tougher penalties for those convicted of robbery.