An elderly couple were beaten by masked men in the bedroom of their east Belfast home in a sectarian attack by loyalists. The couple, both in their 60s, were taken to hospital following the incident in the Bloomfield area.
Four masked men broke into their home on Sunday night and attacked the pensioners as they lay in bed. The RUC said that the woman was beaten trying to defend her husband. Police sources described the attack as a paramilitary style assault.
The woman was treated for bruising to her arms and a suspected fractured wrist. Her husband sustained a cut to his head and bruising to both arms.
Condemning the attack, Ulster Unionist councillor Mr Jim Rodgers said: "Incidents like these have been on the increase for some time in the east Belfast area."
