Man charged after traffic attendant and police officers assaulted

A man has been charged after a traffic attendant was left with serious facial injuries in an attack in Newcastle, Co Down.

Police said the attendant, a man aged in his 30s, was in the Main Street area on Saturday afternoon when another man bumped into him as he left an off-licence.

The man became verbally abusive and swung a bag of bottles at the attendant’s face before leaving the scene.

The attendant sustained facial fractures and a deep laceration.

The PSNI said: “With the help of the local community, we were able to quickly identify the suspect.

“A 28-year-old man was located a short time later at licensed premises, at which time he became aggressive, assaulting four officers.”

The man is charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, five counts of assault on police, resisting police and disorderly behaviour on licensed premises.

The police spokesperson added: “It’s appalling that a man going about his lawful business should be attacked in this way.”

They said the PSNI would be “maintaining our proactive policing presence in the area” and have asked for witnesses to contact them.