Police investigating a report of an assault on a male teenager in north Belfast on Saturday night, May 22, have arrested two males.

The males, aged 14 and 15, are now in custody being questioned over the vicious attack. 

Police received a report shortly after 2pm on Sunday afternoon, May 23, that the 18-year-old victim was approached by a number of males unknown to him as he walked along Ardoyne Road at around 10:30pm.

It was reported there was a verbal exchange between the group of males and the teenager and, following this, the teenager was assaulted.

The victim attended hospital following the assault. 

Inspector Reid said: “This was a vicious assault which we are treating as a sectarian hate crime. 

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area around 11:30pm and witnessed what occurred or who may have captured dashcam or mobile phone footage to call us on 101, quoting reference number 1048 of 23/05/21.”  

A report can also be made online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/