NI News Briefs

'Copter Car Chase

A dramatic high-speed car chase involving a police helicopter ended as three men were arrested after a vehicle failed to stop for police on the M1 in Northern Ireland. Their car was abandoned in the village of Maghaberry and officers, assisted by the police helicopter, soon arrested one man in his 20s shortly. Two other males were later detained in connection with the incident.



Critical Injuries Follow Assaults

Two serious assaults took place within hours of each other in the early hours of Saturday. One man has been arrested over one incident in west Belfast, in which a man in his 30s was left critically ill, while a short time later - in a separate incident - another man was also critically injured after being attacked near the city centre. The victim, thought to be in his 40s or 50s, was set upon in Bradbury Place around 3.30am. The west Belfast victim was found on the Falls Road and is thought to have been struck several times in the face. He has serious head wounds.



Woman Critical After Bus Collision

A woman is in a critical condition in hospital following a car crash in Lisburn, County Antrim on Saturday. Two women were in a car which was in collision with a bus on the Knockmore Road leaving one of the women critically injured while another woman in the car was seriously hurt. The driver of the bus was treated for minor injuries.



Violent Burglary Man Charged

A man in his 20s is to appear in court next month after being charged with aggravated burglary. This follows an incident in north Belfast early on Saturday when a man was forced to climb onto his roof after four men armed with knives broke into his house in Manor Street. Police were called at about 6.15am when windows and a glass door were smashed and damage was also caused to walls and furniture of the house. Police said that another man and two youths arrested at the time have been released without charge.



Anti Booze Cop Hurt

A police officer has been taken to hospital after he and his colleagues came under attack from youths throwing bottles in Dunmurry. The police were in the Pembroke Loop Road area at around 8.50pm on Saturday night on an operation targeting underage drinkers, when the incident happened. One of the police officers had to be taken to hospital to receive stitches for injuries to his face.

(BMcC)