Woman throttled by masked men during break-in

A WOMAN suffered a traumatic ordeal yesterday evening when three masked thugs stormed into her bedroom and held her down by the throat.

In an urgent appeal for information issued last night on social media, a PSNI Craigavon spokesperson detailed the horror attack which took in Lurgan.

“At about 5.30pm this evening the masked men broke into a house on Hawthorn Avenue, Lurgan, where the female occupant was asleep in bed. She awoke to find a masked man holding her down by the throat,” the PSNI said. “We believe they ran off towards Silverwood Drive, almost certainly to a waiting vehicle. This would be a terrifying ordeal for anyone to experience, and the only place for the cowards responsible is behind bars. Never mind us needing your help, the victim needs your help.”

The PSNI has called for local people to bring forward any information to help them catch those responsible.

“Do you live in the area and see anything that could be connected to this at any stage? Were they trying door handles of other houses before? Do you have CCTV footage? Please don’t sit in silence if you know anything that could assist catch these specimens.”

One of the alleged attackers has been described as around 5ft 5ins tall, of stocky build, wore a tan coloured jacket and dark trouser had a southern Irish accent. The other two wore jeans and grey hoodies.

Local DUP MLA Carla Lockhart said she was shocked by news of the woman’s terrifying ordeal, commenting: “I utterly condemn this outrage by these mindless individuals, who have no respect for either people and property.”