Man faces court over leisure centre arson attack during riots
By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association
A man has appeared in court charged over an arson attack at a Co Antrim leisure centre during rioting in the summer.
Paul White, 25, from Fairway in Larne, appeared at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Violence flared in Ballymena in June before spreading to other parts of Northern Ireland in subsequent days.
During the disorder, a leisure centre in Larne that had been temporarily used to house migrants whose homes had been targeted in Ballymena was attacked.
The centre was extensively damaged and remained closed for several months.
During the brief court appearance, White was charged with arson, causing criminal damage to the leisure centre and riotous behaviour.
He confirmed to the court that he understood the charges.
A PSNI constable said she was familiar with the facts and could connect White to the alleged offences.
A prosecuting lawyer said these were new charges linked to existing offences for which White is already on bail.
District Judge Nigel Broderick told White to return to court on January 8th.
