Attempted rape charges facing a pair of Romanian youths, which triggered widespread racially-motivated riots throughout the region, have been withdrawn.
The boys, aged 14 and 15, were accused of trying to sexually assault a teenage girl in the town of Ballymena, in Antrim County on 7 June.
We were informed of significant evidential developments in this matter.
During earlier legal proceedings allegations surfaced that the girl was dragged into a narrow passage inside a vehicle shelter, but broke free when the alleged assailants were disturbed and fled.
Nevertheless, the Public Prosecution Service was authorized to terminate the case against the pair due to "important new evidence", at Belfast's juvenile court on Friday.
The teenagers are scheduled for release from the youth custody facility where they have been in custody for a period exceeding five months.
Legal Proceedings
Another youth, allegedly connected in the alleged attack, is believed to have fled to Romania the following day.
No one involved in the case may be named because of their youth.
Subsequent to the accusations, widespread racially-motivated unrest occurred in the town before extending to other parts of Northern Ireland.
Official Statement
Representatives from the prosecution service commented:
- It has come to our attention of significant evidential developments in these proceedings
- In light of this new evidence, authorities have decided that the requirements for continuing the case are not fulfilled on evidential grounds
- Legal representatives and the police investigation team met with the complainant and her family this morning to clarify the basis behind this outcome
Judicial Review
The defendants' barristers expressed no disagreement to the motion to discontinue.
"Once this decision is communicated to Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre the faster the defendants can be released," the lawyer stated.
Court authorities said he was aware "these proceedings demand discretion", remarking that "the less I say about it the better".
