A teenager was tonight charged by detectives investigating a brutal hammer attack in south Belfast which left a man critically injured.
Mr Maurice McCracken (54) suffered serious head injuries when a gang attacked him at his home on Strangford Avenue last month.
Police who were questioning an 18-year-old man from the west of the city have accused him of seven offences, including attempted murder.
He also faces charges of assault, two counts of aggravated burglary, two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, and taking and driving away.
The accused, who is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court tomorrow, is the second person charged with the vicious attack.
Mr McCracken was beaten with a hammer as he slept in bed with his wife by thieves who stole his car keys and used the vehicle to ram through the driveway gates.
Amid fears of a surge in crime in south Belfast, more than 100 residents attended a meeting after the attack.
PA
