THREE MEN AND a woman were arrested after a man was found beaten and naked and sealed inside a wheelie bin.

The man is being treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries sustained in the incident which happened in the Sentry Hill area of Ballymena, Co Antrim.

A person out walking a dog found the man and called an ambulance and police.

“At this time, I do not believe that there is a sectarian motive nor do I consider that it is paramilitary related. This incident has shocked local people,” said detective chief inspector, Tracey Mageean.

“Detectives have launched a full investigation” into the incident and “interviews of those arrested are taking place”.

PSNI are asking anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the Doury Road, Dunclug or Dunvale areas of Ballymena yesterday afternoon to contact them.