A man has been left with potentially life-changing injuries after both his hands were nailed to a fence in an attack in County Antrim.
The PSNI has described the incident in Bushmills in the early hours of Sunday as “sinister” and “brutal”.
Police received a report shortly after midnight that a man, aged in his 20s, had been found with his hands nailed to a fence, with one nail through each hand.
The man also had injuries to his nose.
He was taken to hospital, where his condition on Sunday morning was described as not life-threatening.
Police who attended the incident said two vans parked in the public car park near Dundarave Park had been set on fire. One of the vehicles belonged to the man who had been assaulted. Firefighters attended to extinguish the fires and both vans sustained extensive damage.
Officers said graffiti found on a nearby gable wall of a public toilets building was being linked to the assault and arson.
In a statement, the PSNI 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.”
Alliance MLA for North Antrim Sian Mulholland described the attack as “especially appalling”.
“My first thoughts are with the victim of this serious assault,” she said.
“The nature of this attack was especially appalling and has left the victim with potentially life-altering injuries. It is not acceptable under any circumstances to brutally assault someone in this manner and I hope the man makes a full recovery.
“There is no place for this violence in Bushmills, North Antrim or anywhere else in Northern Ireland.”
TUV leader and North Antrim MLA Jim Allister condemned the incident, saying there was no place for mob rule.
“I express my dismay at the gruesome and cruel attack carried out in the village,” he said.
