Police in the North are looking for a man who trapped a child in the toilets of a pub in Co Antrim.
Police have not ruled out a sexual motive for the attack at a harbour bar in Portrush. The victim, aged eight, was held against his will in a cubicle when he went to the toilet last night.
It was only when the youngster failed to return that his mother went looking for him and discovered he was being kept captive.
The man pushed her aside and ran off as bar staff raised the alarm, police said. Although the boy was deeply distressed by his ordeal he was not physically hurt.
The attacker is described as being about six feet tall, heavily built, with a shaved head.
Inspector Milne Rowntree said: "I want to praise the staff of the premises for promptly raising the alarm and for their assistance. This is a very worrying incident and was a very distressing ordeal for the young boy and his mother.
"I would appeal to the public to contact us if they can help to identify the man, or if they noticed him in the harbour area or anywhere else in Portrush last night."
PA