Girl, 15, attacked with sticks

A schoolgirl was beaten with sticks by two men in Northern Ireland, her family said today.

Laura Cleary, 15, needed hospital treatment after being knocked unconscious during the ordeal in north Belfast.

She was walking home with a friend when a car chased them along the Serpentine Road last night, her father Martin claimed.

The other girl, also 15, escaped, but the men in the vehicle got out and grabbed Laura.

Mr Cleary said: “They caught my wee girl. One of them got her down and banged her head off the ground and knocked her out.

“He hit her a big kick in the ribs. She was unconscious for about five or 10 minutes.”

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed officers were investigating an alleged assault in the area.

They were trying to locate a white car thought to be involved in the attack.

A PSNI spokeswoman added: “A motive has yet to be established and police inquiries are continuing.”