11 hours ago
Girl, 13, charged with rioting over Ballymena disorder
A 13-year-old girl has been charged with rioting over disorder that broke out in Northern Ireland last week.
Ballymena and other nearby areas saw five consecutive nights of violence after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the County Antrim town.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said five more people have been arrested in connection with the disorder - bringing the total number to 29.
The latest arrests include the 13-year-old girl who has been charged with rioting over the third night of disorder in Ballymena last Wednesday.
A 33-year-old woman has also been charged with child cruelty relating to the disorder.
A 25-year-old man has been detained in connection with an arson attack on Larne Leisure Centre, which was significantly damaged.
He was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.
A 40-year-old man has been charged with rioting on 9 June - the first night of disorder.
Meanwhile, a 32-year-old man has been charged with sending menacing messages through a public electronic communications network, and with encouraging or assisting offences, believing one or more will be committed.
He was further charged with possession of a Class B controlled drug.
The violent disorder began in Ballymena last Monday following a peaceful protest supporting the family of a girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted in the area.
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Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged with attempted rape.
The disturbances continued for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine.
Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said "thankfully, similar to Saturday, the situation was much calmer" in Northern Ireland on Sunday night.
