Rookie policewoman needed surgery after Rathcoole attack

A ROOKIE female police officer suffered serious eye and facial injuries after the car she was travelling in was struck by a stone, thrown by a youth in Rathcoole.

By The Newsroom

Published 25th Mar 2010, 08:24 BST

Updated 31st Mar 2010, 10:57 BST

Newtownabbey Area Commander Paula Hilman said the 27-year-old officer, a passenger in an unmarked police vehicle, suffered a cut to the eye, a laceration on her face and a fractured cheekbone as a result of the incident in the Diamond area of the estate on Wednesday night (March 24). She had to undergo eye surgery in hospital on Thursday. She has since been discharged from hospital but is continuing to receive medical treatment.

She was part of a neighbourhood policing team who were answering a call about anti-social behaviour when they observed a group of up to 20 youths. One of the crowd threw a large stone through the passenger door window. No other officers were injured.

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