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Caught

Police arrest man who had been on the run following the serious assault of a woman

33-year-old Stephen McFarlane was apprehended in the Newtownards Road area of Belfast earlier this afternoon.

Stephen McFarlane Stephen McFarlane PSNI PSNI

Updated 15.01

POLICE IN NORTHERN Ireland have arrested Stephen McFarlane in connection with the serious assault this week of a woman in Newtownabbey.

33-year-old McFarlane was wanted for questioning with regard to the assault which took place in the Carnmoney area of Newtownabbey on Wednesday night. It’s understood that the woman was critically injured in that incident.

McFarlane was apprehended just before 2pm today in  the Newtownards Road area of north-east Belfast.

audi-a6-saloon-2-0-tdi-190ps-ultra-black-edition An Audi A6 similar to that used by Stephen McFarlane PSNI PSNI

“I would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance in this matter,” said PSNI Detective Inspector Chris Millar.

We received a number of calls from members of the public throughout our search and we are grateful for that co-operation. Our investigation into this serious assault will now continue.

Earlier

The PSNI had sought the public’s help in apprehending McFarlane in connection with the serious assault.

Members of the public were urged not to contact McFarlane if he was spotted but rather to contact the PSNI directly.

McFarlane was understood to have been driving a distinctive car, a white Audi A6 Black Edition, registration T44 SMF.

It’s believed that McFarlane may have removed the front and back registration plates from the car.

Originally published 12.33pm

Comments have been disabled on this article as it concerns an ongoing legal matter

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