Third suspect linked to alleged Ballymena rape fled to Romania, court told
Police have confirmed that they are seeking the extradition of a suspect who fled to Romania over the alleged rape of a schoolgirl in Ballymena.
The incident sparked days of race-related anti-immigration rioting in the Co Antrim town, with linked outbreaks of violence in other parts of Northern Ireland.
Ballymena Youth Court heard details of the alleged attack for the first time on Wednesday during a bail hearing for a 14-year-old Romanian boy, who cannot be identified because of his age.
Another teenager is also in custody charged with the attempted rape. Both deny the charges.
The court was told that the school girl was walking along a street in the Co Antrim town on June 7 when she was dragged into a garage and subjected to a violent sex attack by three males.
The girl told police that once inside the garage, she claimed, there was two mattresses and she was ordered to get on one. The alleged attack lasted around 10 minutes. The girl was able to get away when the trio fled the scene after hearing voices.
Two of the alleged were arrested hours later, the third has since fled to Romania.
The bail application was adjourned until August.
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