Man in sword attack over stolen car

A west Belfast man today described how he was attacked with a sword as he and his nephew tried to recover his stolen car.

The vehicle, a Nissan Primera, had been taken during a burglary at Closnamona Court.

But after the owner and a friend located it at Dungloe Crescent in Lenadoon yesterday, they were targeted by a man in his 20s armed with a sword.

The victim, who would only identify himself as Richard, said he and his nephew were attacked while waiting for the police to arrive.

His attacker claimed to own the vehicle before lunging at them.

“He shouted to me: ’This is my car.’ Then he pulled a sword out and tried to stick it into me,” he told BBC Radio Ulster.

“I slammed the car door and it (the sword) went through the glass. Then I ran away.”

At this stage both men ran to another car parked nearby and got in.

Their assailant smashed the driver’s window in an attempt to stab Richard and his nephew.

One of the victims sustained a facial injury before their attacker ran off up an alleyway.

The attacker was aged in his early 20s, approximately six feet tall, of thin build with short, black hair.

It is thought he was wearing a white top with vertical stripes.

Police have appealed for witnesses who can help their investigation to come forward.