A teenager who was shot four times in the leg in a paramilitary-style shooting has told how he surrendered to his attackers when he heard his terrified little sister crying.

Aaron Stilges from west Belfast had initially tried to fight off the armed gang who forced their way into his Turf Lodge home on Tuesday night.

His 12-year-old sister, four-year-old brother, mother and her partner were held captive at gunpoint downstairs by two men as Aaron was targeted in his bedroom upstairs by another three.

He said: "I heard them crying. There was no need to do that. When I heard my sister crying I gave up.

"I was wrestling with them and then I heard my sister crying, I gave up and let them do what they had to do, get it over and done with."

It has also emerged that two of the six rounds discharged from the gun went through Aaron's bedroom floor - narrowly missing his four-year-old brother in the downstairs living room.

Marie Stilges, Aaron's aunt, told the BBC: "That child could have been killed playing with the ball and bullets coming through the ceiling."

She continued: "They held my sister on the settee with a hammer and pointed a gun at my 12-year-old niece's head... five men with hammers and guns - it's ridiculous, it shouldn't have happened."

Sinn Fein MLA Pat Sheehan has condemned the attack, which he said could have killed or seriously injured young children.

Aaron (17), who had to have surgery on his left leg following the attack, has also been left traumatised.

"I had to get three or four different bandages on because the blood just kept coming through and coming through.

"The hospital bed was covered in blood and everything," he said.

Aaron, who is in plaster, has now told his mother that he wants them to move house.

Although he has since been discharged from hospital he is due to return next week to have his wounds checked.

Ms Stilges added: "It is ridiculous. Aaron is no angel but he does not deserve that."

Detectives have appealed for witnesses following the shooting in Monagh Drive shortly before 9.20pm.

Belfast Telegraph