White racist NI gang wearing masks beat man sleeping in bed - victim remains in hospital

The violent attack occurred in a flat on Main Street, Dungiven, Co. Londonderry.

The PSNI is treating the incident as an aggravated burglary and a "racially motivated hate crime".

Detective Inspector Peter McKenna said the gang have been described as "white males" and as having "local accents".

“It was reported that shortly before midnight on Thursday, three men, armed with a hammer and other weapons, forced entry to an upstairs flat and attacked the male occupant as he lay in bed," said DI McKenna.

"The occupant was struck around the head, body and legs a number of times and required hospital treatment following the attack for his injuries.

"He remains in hospital this morning.

"The attackers were described as white males in their mid-20’s with local accents and all three had their faces covered with scarves.

"We are treating the incident at this time as a racially motivated hate crime."

DI McKenna went on to describe the attack as "vicious" and urged anyone with information to come forward.

“This was vicious attack on a defenceless man in his own home and I would appeal to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity, or anyone who was travelling in the area at the time of the attack and has dash-cam footage of Main Street, or anyone with any information which could assist us to identify those responsible, to contact detectives in Coleraine on 101, quoting reference number 4 19/06/20. Information can also be submitted online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.

"You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”