Two in court over attack on police officer

Two men are to appear in court today charged in connection with an attack on a Portuguese man in Portadown, Co Armagh, in which a police officer was hit with a hammer.

The men, aged 28 and 43, were charged with intimidation, criminal damage, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon and disorderly behaviour.

They are due to appear at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court.

The charges related to the smashing of a windscreen and side window of a car belonging to the Portuguese national in the Thomas Street area of the town.

As police investigated, they intervened to prevent another man being attacked. One officer was injured when struck on the head with a hammer by one of the attackers.

The two arrests were made when a second officer used CS spray to rescue his colleague, said a police spokesman.

In line with regulations, the use of the CS spray was referred to the Police Ombudsman for investigation.