DETECTIVES are appealing for information and witnesses following the report of a “vicious” assault in the Cregagh Road area of east Belfast on Monday night, May 3.

Detective Sergeant Duffield said: “We received a report, just after 11pm, that a number of males had chased a man from the Killagan Bend, heading towards the Greenway area.

“When the group managed to catch up with the victim, he was assaulted.

“This was a particularly vicious attack, in which a man, aged in his 40s, sustained a number of stab wounds to his back and head.

“He was taken to hospital by colleagues from the Ambulance Service, where he remains today in a condition which is described as stable.

“I am appealing to anyone with information to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 1809 03/05/21.”

Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org