Babysitter attacked by intruders

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6630743.stm

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A 30-year-old man babysitting his 12-year-old niece has been beaten by burglars in north Belfast.

Three men entered the house on the Antrim Road early on Sunday. One hit the babysitter with a crowbar, tied him up in a bedroom and demanded money.

The child's mother then returned to the house along with a male friend and all three of them were also held in a room.

The robbers stole a mobile phone and a BMW car. The babysitter and the other man were both injured.

The babysitter has cuts and bruises to his wrists and ribs, the other man a minor injury to his face.

The woman and her child were both left badly shocked by the incident which was reported to police at about 0300 BST.

One of the intruders, who was armed with the crowbar, stayed with the victims in a bedroom while the other two, who were armed with a screwdriver and hammer, ransacked the house.

Only the babysitter was tied up.

All three intruders, who got in through the back of the house, were wearing black clothing, gloves and black balaclavas.

Two of them were about 5ft 8ins tall and both are described as being broad.

The third is understood to have been slightly taller with a stocky build, and wore a black Kappa jacket with white stitching on the left breast, black tracksuit bottoms, and grey and yellow coloured trainers.

Police have appealed for anyone with any information to contact them on 0845 600 8000, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.