Shots fired in street robbery attempt

A man fired shots at an armed robber who pointed a gun at his wife in a Belfast street, it emerged today.

The thief, in his 20s, fled when the victim’s husband grabbed his weapon and opened fire.

Police said the woman was getting out of her car at Northbrook Street on Friday when a man demanded money and tried to grab her handbag.

As she struggled, her husband jumped out of the vehicle to help her, forcing the robber to run off.

Seconds later he returned for a second confrontation.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokeswoman said: “He pointed his gun at them, at which point the woman’s husband retrieved a legally-held firearm from his car and fired shots.”

The robber then fled in the direction of Windsor Park football stadium.

There were no reports of any injuries.