Two arrested after man 'kidnapped, doused in fuel and threatened to be set on fire'

The victim, aged in his 40s, was allegedly kidnapped by two men in the King Street area of Newcastle and brought to a car park in the Oldtown Road area of Annalong after 9pm on Sunday.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “The suspects demanded money before dousing him in fuel and threatened to set him alight. While the man was physically unharmed and no money was given, he is understandably very shaken.

"Two men, aged 36 and 31, have been arrested and remain in police custody at this time.”

Police also received a report shortly after 9.30pm that a man, aged in his 70s, had further been assaulted and entry to his home was attempted, also in the King Street area of the town, by another man. The suspect did not make it inside and made off from the location.

"As we continue with our enquiries to determine what occurred, I'm appealing to anyone with information about this incident to get in touch with us.

"In particular, we want to hear from anyone who was in the King Street or Oldtown Road areas after 9pm and noticed anything out of the ordinary, including any individuals acting in a suspicious manner, to contact us by calling 101 and quoting reference number 1754 24/04/22."

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/