LAST UPDATE | 15 Jan 2023

PSNI DETECTIVES IN West Belfast have charged a man following a report of a kidnapping in the suburb of Dunmurry yesterday.

Detective Sergeant McCartan said: “It was reported just after 12pm that a man was forced into the back of a blue Citroen Berlingo van by two men in the Upper Dunmurry Lane area before it was driven away from the Michael Ferguson roundabout.

“At this stage, we believe the victim, aged in his thirties, was driven around in the van for two to three hours and at one point, he was taken to a nearby property where he was assaulted, sustaining a number of injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening at this stage.

“A short time later, police arrested a man, aged in his thirties on suspicion of a number of offences. He remains in custody at this time.”

The man has been charged with kidnapping, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, burglary with intent to steal, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and possession of a Class C controlled drug.

He is expected to appear before Lisburn Magistrates Court tomorrow.