Baby boy thrown from stolen car

The car was stolen from the boy's father

A 16-month-old baby boy has been thrown from a car in County Antrim after it was stolen from a car park.

The baby's father had part of his ear bitten off during the incident.

It took place at Bentrim Road in Lisburn at about 0800 GMT on Saturday.

The car was stolen from the boy's father who had stopped the vehicle after seeing men attempting to steal another one.

He was beaten and a man ripped part of his ear off with his teeth.

The baby was uninjured, but his father had to be treated in hospital.

Chief Superintendent Ken Henning, the PSNI district commander in Lisburn, said the thieves had to be caught.

"That young baby could just as well have been hit by another car," he said.

"People like this who are prepared to commit crimes like this have absolutely no thought - no regard for anybody, for anybody's safety.

"Now we see least of all for a 16-month-old baby - how far and how low can someone get?

"That's why we want to catch these people - we want to put them behind bars where they belong."

DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson has condemned the incident.

He said he hoped the thieves were caught and severely punished.

SDLP assembly member Patricia Lewsley said it was "a horrendous attack".

"I am absolutely horrified to think anyone could set upon an innocent man like this, and could treat a little baby with such vengeance," she said.

A 22-year-old man has been arrested by police investigating the incident.