A MAN has been left with life-changing injuries after he was badly beaten with a sledgehammer during a burglary in Larne, Co Antrim late last night.
Police received a report at around 11.25pm that several men carrying sledgehammers were seen running down an alleyway in the Woodvale area of the town while a man could be heard screaming from a nearby promoter.
When police arrived at the property, they noticed a number of windows were smashed.
Inside, they located a man aged in his 20’s who had sustained what were described as life-changing injuries to his legs and arms.
He was taken to hospital where he is currently being treated for these injuries.
PSNI Detective Sergeant Pete Crothers described it as “a brutal attack, which is being treated as a paramilitary style assault at this time".
He added: “Our enquiries are at an early stage, and I would appeal to anyone who was in the Woodvale area between 11.05pm and 11.25pm and saw a number of men in the area acting suspiciously to get in touch."
Anyone with information is being asked to contact detectives in Ballymena on the non emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1577 16/09/18.
Roy Beggs, East Antrim UUP MLA said: "I strongly condemn this barbaric and brutal attack which I understand has left the victim with life changing injuries. In a democratic society, we should rely on the police and the justice system, and with this in mind I would urge the community to contact the PSNI."
See More: Attack, Crime, Larne, Northern Ireland, Sledgehammer
