Man beaten in front of child in west Belfast

A 20-year-old man has been beaten by a gang of masked men in front of his baby in west Belfast.

A 20-year-old man has been beaten by a gang of masked men in front of his baby in west Belfast.

The gang of men forced their way into the house off Springfield Road at around 8.20 this morning. They then made their way into an upstairs bedroom, where the victim, his partner and their 22-month old child were sleeping.

Police have described the beating, carried out with an iron bar, as a paramilitary assault.

The man is now recovering in hospital from his injuries, which include a possibly fractured leg. The woman and child were unhurt.