Downpatrick: Attacker stabs man and tries to set him on fire

A man has been stabbed in the face by an attacker in Downpatrick, who then poured petrol over him and tried to set him on fire.

The attack happened at a property in St John’s Mews shortly after 01:40 BST on Wednesday.

Police said it was reported that a man threw a petrol bomb at the property then entered it and stabbed the victim, who was in his 40s.

The attacker then reportedly poured petrol over the man and a woman.

“A second female who was inside the property at the time managed to grab a lighter from the suspect, who fled the scene on foot,” Det Sgt Dougherty said.

“The man and woman who had been assaulted were taken to hospital by colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for treatment for their injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening at this time.”

The fire service also attended and a number of residents were moved while the building was made safe.

Police have said they are treating the incident as attempted murder and have appealed for witnesses to contact them.