Man charged with attempted murder after woman tied up and bedroom set on fire in Clough

By Adam Evans

Detectives have charged a man with attempted murder after a woman was tied up by a group of masked men in Clough.

The group burst into a house on the School Road on Monday afternoon before starting a fire in an upstairs bedroom.

Seperately, the 35-year-old and two other men are accused of theft and false imprisonment offences in connection with burglaries in Ballyward, Belfast, Downpatrick and Ardglass.

All three are due before Downpatrick Magistrates tomorrow.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "Detectives in CID in Newry have charged three males, aged 27, 30 and 35, 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 on Monday 26 February."