Newcastle kidnappers threaten to set victim on fire

The victim was taken to Oldtown Road car park in Annalong where he was threatened

A man has been kidnapped and doused in fuel in County Down by two men who threatened to set him alight if he did not give them money.

The victim, who is in his 40s, was kidnapped from King Street in Newcastle on Sunday evening and was taken to a car park in Oldtown Road, Annalong.

Police said no money was handed over during the attack but the victim was "understandably very shaken".

They are also investigating a separate assault on a man in his 70s.

The pensioner was attacked on King Street in Newcastle at about 21:30 BST on Sunday during an attempted burglary at his home.

The victim, who is in his 40s, was kidnapped from King Street in Newcastle on Sunday evening

The suspect did not manage to get inside the property and left the scene.

The kidnapping on King Street was reported to police after 21:00 BST.

Police investigating the incidents have arrested two men aged 31 and 36 and they remain in custody.

Officers remained at the scene of the Newcastle attack until the early hours of the morning, according to a neighbour of the victim.

Newcastle resident Martin Smith said police remained at the scene for hours

"I woke up this morning at about ten to two when there was an orange flashing light and I could hear a loud lorry," Martin Smith told BBC News NI.

"I looked out the window and saw a recovery truck. There was police around and it went on for about an hour and a half, maybe more.

"I went back to bed. The truck went away and the police were still here up until about, I don't know, maybe three in the morning."

Police have appealed to anyone who was in King Street Newcastle or Oldtown Road, Annalong after 21:00 BST on Sunday and witnessed anything suspicious to contact detectives.