Robbers attack boy, 8, with baseball bat

An eight-year-old child was struck with a baseball bat by robbers in the North, it was revealed today.

His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening but he was taken to hospital following the raid on his home in a loyalist estate north of Belfast.

The gang of six masked men smashed windows and damaged the property in the early hours of Saturday.

Police said: "An eight-year-old child had to be taken to hospital after he was struck with a bat by one of the intruders."

At approximately 1.45am it was reported the men had entered the property at Carmeen Drive, Rathcoole.

Detectives are appealing for anybody with information to contact them.