https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crl9kd2pne2o

Attempted rape charges against two Romanian teenagers, that sparked widespread racially-motivated riots across Northern Ireland, have been withdrawn.

The boys, aged 14 and 15, were accused of attempting to rape a schoolgirl in Ballymena, County Antrim on 7 June.

In a previous court hearing there were claims that the girl was dragged down an alleyway into a garage, but escaped when her would-be attackers were disturbed and ran off.

However, the Public Prosecution Service was granted permission to end criminal proceedings against the pair due to "significant evidential developments", at Belfast Youth Court on Friday.

The teenagers will now be released from the juvenile detention centre where they have been held for more than five months.

Another youth, who is suspected to be involved in the alleged attack, is believed to have fled to Romania the next day.

None of the accused can be identified because of their ages.

Following the alleged assault widespread racially-motivated took place in the town before spreading to other parts of Northern Ireland.

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by BusterBessie

15 comments

  1. While I’m not suggesting that parents should face imprisonment, there should be a structured system of accountability. This system should encourage parents to teach their children that their actions carry consequences, not only for themselves but also for the family that supports and raises them. Such measures could help reinforce responsibility and strengthen the role of family in guiding behavior.

  2. So what’s being said here? The 2 lads weren’t involved? The actual attacker got away to Romania?

  5. I feel like their guilt or innocence in this was immaterial as it was just an excuse for Ballymena to go on a racist rampage. This was only ever a convenient excuse for racists.

  6. So are they innocent or just not enough proof to convict and a bit dodgy that the 3rd man fled to Romania

  7. “Significant evidential developments” could mean that the evidence was sound but inadmissable for a technical reason, that it was proven the evidence was false or even that someone else confessed to the crime…

    Leaving it vague only risks creating a very dangerous situation.

  8. !Verdict: 34 Year Old Man Man crucified because he was the wrong type.

  9. So two innocent children spent five months in prison? Why did it take so long if there was no evidence?

  11. This is gonna end up being a Noah Donaghue Situation isn’t it?

  12. Whilst I understand *why* the details of the case haven’t been made public, people are going to look at the facts (Significant evidential developments, PPS have ended criminal proceedings, charges against the two Romanian fellas have been withdrawn, a third Romanian suspect fled to Romania the day after alleged attack) and draw their own conclusions.
    Not only that, but peoples own conclusions will not match up, and will be used to fuel their own existing beliefs on what happened here.

    It’s going to turn into a shitshow basically.

  13. I’m sure releasing a vague rationale in what is a very clearly emotive issue won’t have a poor outcome and everything will move along as normal

  14. Jesus this is bad.

    Because of the nature of this the public need to be given some clarity.

    “We charged the wrong people”

    “credible witnesses have provided alibis”

    “the victim has changed her story”

    “further evidence (such as cctv) contradicts the claims made”.

    “We have insufficient evidence to take the case forward”

    Something needs to be put out to prevent this devolving into another series of riots.

  15. Compensation as well no doubt for being locked up for 5 months.

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