Man nailed to fence and vans set on fire in 'sinister attack'

A man in Northern Ireland has been left with potentially life-changing injuries after his hands were nailed to a fence.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) were called to reports of a serious assault in Bushmills in the early hours of Sunday.

The force said that a man aged in his 20s was discovered with a nail through each hand, attached to a fence, shortly after midnight.

The victim also had injuries to his nose and is being treated in hospital. His condition has been described as not life-threatening.

Two vans, including one belonging to the injured man, were set on fire in a nearby public car park.

Graffiti was also found on a nearby wall of public toilets and it is being linked to the assault and arson.

Detective Inspector Lyttle said: “This was a sinister attack which has left this man with potentially life-changing injuries.

“Everyone has the right to live their life free from the threat of violence and this brutal attack by people who violate the human rights of others must be universally condemned.

"We live in a democratic society where there is no justification for this. Those responsible brutalise their own communities and control others through intimidation and violence.

“This happened in a residential area with a number of holiday lets which would be busy during this bank holiday weekend and we are asking anyone who noticed anything or who may have dashcam footage to contact us urgently on 101 or confidently to Crimestoppers.

“Our enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and has any information, including dash-cam or other footage, to contact police on 101 quoting reference 13 of 05/05/24.”