Ballymena: Disorder in town after alleged sexual assault of girl

Ballymena: Disorder in town after alleged sexual assault of girl

Disorder erupted in Ballymena following a gathering near the site of an alleged sexual assault in the town. Individuals, many with their faces covered and gloves on, were observed throwing masonry. Damage was evident on a police car, which appeared to have two windows broken. Additionally, a house on Clonavon Terrace had its windows shattered, while the street was cordoned off with police Land Rovers at both ends.

The vicinity was enveloped in black smoke as flames ignited near a residence that had been targeted. More harm was inflicted upon a police vehicle and numerous properties, as per the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The PSNI communicated that several objects were hurled towards law enforcement, resulting in damage to multiple establishments. Authorities have cautioned motorists and pedestrians to steer clear of the Clonavon Road area until further notice.

Ch Supt Sue Steen emphasized the importance of maintaining composure and acting responsibly amidst the unrest. She stressed that resorting to violence and disorder would only heighten the risk to individuals in the area. Prior to the outbreak, two teenage boys were brought before Coleraine Magistrates’ Court on charges of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the County Antrim town. Subsequently, a sizeable protest unfolded in Ballymena, with hundreds of men, women, and children assembling near the town center before embarking on a peaceful march along Larne Street and Queen Street

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