DETECTIVES have charged a man with attempted murder over a brutal house burglary.

Officers have also charged the 35-year-old and two other males, aged 27, 30, with a number of offences including aggravated burglary and stealing, false imprisonment, burglary, going equipped for burglary and handling stolen goods.

The charges are in connection with an aggravated burglary at a house on the Castlewellan Road area of Ballyward overnight Thursday night, 22 February and three other burglaries which occurred at premises in Belfast, Downpatrick and Ardglass between 20 and 23 February.

The 35 year old male has also been charged with attempted murder, aggravated burglary with intent to steal, aggravated vehicle taking causing damage to vehicle, arson endangering life with intent and false imprisonment.

These charges are in connection with an aggravated burglary which occurred in the School Road area of Clough on Monday 19 February.

All three are expected to appear before Downpatrick Magistrates Court tomorrow, Monday, February 26.

All three males were arrested in Rathfriland on Friday after they were spotted acting suspiciously in the Church Square area of the hilltop town.

The charges were brought a team of detectives lead Detective James Johnston of Newry CID.