Sex assault charges against teenagers that led to Ballymena race riots dropped

By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Two teenagers who were accused of attempting to rape a schoolgirl in Ballymena have had the charges against them withdrawn, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said.

The boys had been charged in connection with an alleged serious sexual assault on a teenage girl in the Clonavon Terrace area of the Co Antrim town in June.

The incident sparked days of race-related anti-immigration rioting in Ballymena, with linked sporadic outbreaks of violence in other parts of Northern Ireland.

We have recently been made aware of significant evidential developments in this case

The PPS said there had been “significant evidential developments” in the case.

The boys are aged 14 and 15 and have been in custody since they first appeared in court in June, when they addressed the court through a Romanian interpreter.

A PPS spokesperson said: “The PPS has a duty to keep prosecution decisions under consideration and take into account any change in circumstances that occurs as the case proceeds.

“Where new information or evidence becomes available, it will be considered along with all the existing information and evidence in the case and the test for prosecution applied.

“We have recently been made aware of significant evidential developments in this case.

“In light of this new evidence, it has been determined that the test for prosecution is no longer met on evidential grounds, and therefore the case should not proceed.

“The prosecution team and the police investigation team met with the complainant and her family this morning to explain the reasons for the decision.”

All charges faced by both defendants were formally withdrawn at Laganside Youth Court on Friday.

The PPS added: “All PPS decisions in this case were taken independently, impartially and in line with the code for prosecutors.

“Due to the importance of respecting the privacy, anonymity, and wellbeing of all the young people involved, including the complainant, the PPS will not be making any further comment.

“We would appeal to the public not to engage in speculation, including online, about the case.”

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.