Published Monday, 29 October 2012
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The 70-year-old victim was attacked and his house ransacked in the Abetta Parade area shortly before 10.20am on Sunday.
The burglar then made off with a silver Mitsubishi Carisma.
Police have charged a 37-year-old man with offences including burglary, false imprisonment, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and taking a vehicle without authority.
He also faces a series of charges arising out of an earlier domestic incident at a house in the Greenville Road area of Ballyhackamore.
These are two counts of false imprisonment, two of theft, one of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.
Further charges include possession of a blade in public and of a class A drug.
Linda Kelly, the local neighbourhood watch co-ordinator, told UTV the area has had burglaries in the past, but most have been opportunistic.
"For someone to target one of our elderly comes as a bit of a shock," she said.
"We do have an elderly community, we've a lot of disabled people live in the area. This is going to cause fear throughout."
The stolen car was found on Monday in the Brown Square area, off Peter's Hill, in the city.
Police are appealing for anyone who noticed suspicious activity in the Abetta Parade area on Sunday morning to contact them.
"Detectives are also keen to speak with a taxi driver, driving a blue ford Mondeo with a taxi sign on the roof, who dropped off a fare in the Union Street area of Belfast City Centre around 2.30pm yesterday afternoon," added a PSNI spokesperson.
East Belfast MP Naomi Long said: "Attacking an elderly man in his own home in such a brutal manner is a low act, carried out by cowards.
"The vicious manner of this incident shows what little respect the perpetrators have for our community. I hope the victim was not seriously injured and he recovers both mentally and physically."
East Belfast MLA Robin Newton also voiced his condemnation of the attack.
"I am angry and distressed by the fact that a 70-year-old man has been assaulted in my constituency," he said.
"This dreadful incident will strike fear into the hearts and minds of older residents in this close knit community.
"It must have been an appalling experience for this man - not only was he assaulted but his car was stolen."
Mr Newton continued: "I am calling on the whole community to show support for his friends and family at this difficult time."
Police said the 37-year-old is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.