Mother of three beaten by masked gang leaving children badly shaken

By David Hunter

A mother of three has been punched, slapped and beaten with a hammer in a paramilitary style attack Derry / Londonderry.

Three masked men forced their way into a house in Bloomfield Park at around 10.45 on Thursday night. 

Two of the men attacked the woman, whilst the third man smashed windows and mirrors. 

The children were in the property at the time and are said to be unharmed, but they have been left badly shaken.

Detective Inspector Michael Winters said: “It’s reported that two of the men assaulted the female occupant.  She was punched and slapped, and hit around the legs with a hammer.

"This assault took place in one of the downstairs rooms.  Meanwhile, the third male went around the house, smashing windows and mirrors.

“The woman was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening.

“This was a violent attack on a female. 

"Furthermore, her three young children were home at the time, and while physically uninjured, they have been left badly shaken.

"It was a traumatic ordeal, which no family should ever have to experience. "