Man beaten with hammers in Ballymena

Three men, aged 35, 36 and 39, are being questioned by police following an aggravated burglary in Ballymena yesterday, Friday 28th November.

Detective Inspector Blemmings explains: “At around 3pm it was reported a number of men had entered a house in the Moat Road area. It’s understood they threatened the male occupant with hammers and what was described as a ‘handgun’, demanding money. They then assaulted him with the hammers before making off with a sum of cash.

Subsequent enquiries lead police to arrest two men in the Newtownabbey area around 45 minutes later. Another man was later arrested in the Antrim area. All remain in custody this morning assisting with enquiries.

The 39 year old householder required some hospital treatment for a minor head injury and cuts and bruises. A 32 year old woman and two children, aged 5 and 3, who were also in the house at the time of the burglary were not injured but were shaken by the incident.

Anyone with information that could assist this investigation can contact detectives at Ballymena CID on the non-emergency number 101.”