A MAN has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was tied up and a fire started during a burglary in Co Down.
The woman had been cleaning the house on School Road in Clough last Monday afternoon when she was confronted by masked intruders.
After the woman was tied up, a fire was started in an upstairs room before the robbers made off with an iPad and Mac Book computer and stole a car parked outside the house.
Two sisters who were passing the house managed to rescue the woman and bring her to safety.
A 35-year-old man has been charged with five offences including attempted murder, false imprisonment and arson endangering life with intent.
The man also faces a series of charges in relation to four other separate burglaries across Belfast and south Down last week.
He was arrested along with two other men, aged 27 and 30, in Rathfriland on Friday.
The trio face several charges including aggravated burglary, false imprisonment and handling stolen goods in connection with burglaries in Belfast, Downpatrick, Ardglass and Ballyward on dates between Tuesday and Friday.
All three men are due to appear at Downpatrick Magistrates Court this morning.
