Woman terrified after Church Brae attack

The woman, who did not wish to be named, said she had stopped at an off licence on Church Brae on the way to a family party when a man approached their car and made a sectarian remark before punching her, leaving her with a broken jaw.

She also said the man made a sectarian remark prior to the attack.

"We had just pulled in and I reached down to get my purse out of my handbag when the car door opened. I didn't know what was happening and saw a man stick his head in and shout; 'Get you two fenian b*****ds out to f***.' He then punched me on the face.

"We drove off straight away and phoned the police. It was terrifying," she said.

The woman said the attack has left her in pain ever since. "I went to the hospital and they told me my jaw bone was broken. I have to go back to see if it has caved in," she explained.

"I would have stopped at that off licence often but I won't be going near that road again. I dread to think what would have happened if my husband had got out of the car to defend me, he could have been killed," she said.

The incident was condemned as "vicious" and disgraceful" by Waterside Sinn Fin councillor Lynn Fleming.

A PSNI spokesperson said they are investigating a sectarian motive for the attack. The woman's attacker is described as being around six feet in height, in his 30s, of slim build, with short spiky hair. He was wearing a navy jumper with grey writing on it.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact 0845 600 800.