Northern Ireland

Dog walker assaulted and pursued in car during Newtownabbey attack

Police say the man was attacked by a group of men in Valley dog park

Valley Dog Park in Newtownabbey. PICTURE: GOOGLEMAPS
Valley Dog Park in Newtownabbey. PICTURE: GOOGLEMAPS

A dog walker in Newtownabbey has been attacked by a group of men and chased in a vehicle as he tried to escape, police have said.

The 41-year-old man was walking his dog in Valley dog park on O’Neill Road around 2pm on Monday when he was approached by a group of men.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “One of the group proceeded to punch the victim to the side of the face causing him to fall to the ground. The other men then began to kick him.

“Another man in the park responded to the victim’s cries for help and the group of assailants fled.”

While trying to escape the park in his vehicle, the man was blocked on the Antrim Road by a black Volkswgen Tiguan which pulled into his path.

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While trying to drive away, he was pursued for a short distance before his blue Mercedes car was rammed from behind.

At the Fortwilliam traffic lights, a man exited the Tiguan and approached the Mercedes before the victim was able to drive off.

Police have appealed to any witnesses, especially those with any relevant dashcam or other footage, to call 101.