Mullaghbawn: Two men being hunted by police found tied to bench and covered in paint

'There is no excuse for individuals taking the law into their own hands'

Photos of James White and Alexis Guesto tied up and covered in paint were shared widely on social media (Twitter)

Two men wanted by police were tied to a bench by vigilantes and covered in paint.

James White, 48 and Alexis Guesto, 26, were also kicked and beaten with iron bars after being captured in County Armagh in Northern Ireland.

Photos and videos of the pair with their hands bound behind their backs were shared on social media, with one Twitter user declaring "Welcome to bandit country".

The Police Service of Northern Ireland are now investigating what they described as "a serious assault" in the village of Mullaghbawn.

Detective Chief Inspector Jill Duffie said: "Unfortunately, now, due to the violent actions of a small number of people, we have had to redirect resources and efforts towards investigating a serious assault.

"There is no excuse for individuals taking the law into their own hands nor for the violent scenes that we witnessed last night.”

Police mugshots of James White (left) and Alexis Guesto (right) (PSNI)

A PSNI spokesman confirmed that both men were wanted for breaching the terms of their licences and warrants.

The search for White and Guesto first began two weeks ago after it was reported that they were in County Limerick and County Cork in the Republic of Ireland.

Sightings of the pair in County Tipperary on 17 April were said to have spread panic and fear among local villagers.

Guesto was arrested later the same day but was released on bail.

On Friday the PSNI Public Protection Branch said it was believed the two men had travelled to Northern Ireland.

Detectives appealed for information about their movements after seizing a blue Peugeot from a car park in Mullaghbawn but did not give details of their offences for fear of arousing emotions in the local community.

Last night police were called to reports of an assault in the village and found the two men tied to a bench.

“We believe the two men, James White and Alexis Guesto, who were wanted by police for a range of offences, including breach of licence and warrants, were discovered by a group of males on Saturday evening as they attempted to evade an ongoing police search for them," said DCI Duffie.

"White and Guesto were kicked and beaten with iron bars before being taken to Mullaghbawn village, where they were further assaulted by a number of individuals and covered in paint.

“Both men were taken to hospital by police, one of the males has been arrested and the other remains in hospital being treated for his injuries. Both men will be brought before the court at the earliest opportunity in relation to the matters for which they were being sought."

A photo of the aftermath in the village today showed the bench and the area around it splashed with blue-grey paint.

DCI Duffie added: "I understand that feelings in the area have been running high over the search for these men, however, there can never be an excuse for violence or people taking the law into their own hands."