Soldier back from Iraq is stabbed

The soldier had just returned from Iraq

A 21-year-old man stabbed in County Down on Monday night was a soldier who had just returned from Iraq.

The incident happened on the Commons Road in Ballykinler, as the man was returning to his barracks shortly before 2300 GMT.

It is understood he suffered one stab wound to the stomach and is in a serious but stable condition.

An Army spokesman said the attackers stole the soldier's mobile phone after stabbing him.

"He had driven out of the base to get a fast food order from a Chinese restaurant and was talking to his girlfriend on his mobile when some people came up and demanded he handed over the phone," the spokesman said.

"He refused and they stabbed him and took the phone."

The soldier had just served a tour of duty in Iraq with the Rifles Regiment.

Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.