Police in Belfast have appealed for information after a man was gang-raped in the west of the city.

The 26-year-old male was walking through the Aspen Walk area of Twinbrook when he was approached by a stranger.

The man was forced into an alleyway where a group of men held him down as he was sexually assaulted.

Local Sinn Fein councillor Charlene O’Hara said: “It’s worrying because people came together to do that sort of attack.

“It’s a serious sexual attack. People like that really need to be taken off our streets.

“Rape is probably one of the worst crimes that can be committed because the victims have to live with it afterwards.

“It must be such a traumatic and difficult time for that young man and his family.”