The George Best mural in east Belfast is now being replaced by a masked UVF gunman

DETECTIVES believe the Ulster Volunteer force were behind a paramilitary-style ‘punishment shooting’ on Thursday morning.

A 30-year-old man was shot in both legs at Strandburn Drive in the Sydenham area of east Belfast around 7.30 am.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to his gunshot injuries.

The shooting came just a day after it was revealed that the UVF is painting over a George Best mural paid for with £1,500 of ratepayers’ cash.

The soccer legend is to be replace an armed and masked gunman with with the Martin Luther King quotation: “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”