Man assaulted in east Belfast hate crime

A man has been assaulted by a group of up to six armed and masked men in what police are treating as a racially motivated hate crime in east Belfast.

It was reported to police at around 6pm on Sunday evening that the group of men forced entry into the house in the Knock Grove area of the city and assaulted the male occupant with baseball bats. The man sustained bruising to his head and body as a result.

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson said he was "appalled" to hear of the attack:

A woman and small child who also live in the house were unharmed but left badly shaken.

The males left the scene on foot following the attack.

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on the non-emergency 101.