Sex assault charges against teenagers that led to Ballymena race riots dropped

""The PPS has a duty to keep prosecution decisions under consideration and take into account any change in circumstances that occurs as the case proceeds. "Where new information or evidence becomes available, it will be considered along with all the existing information and evidence in the case and the test for prosecution applied. "We have recently been made aware of significant evidential developments in this case. "In light of this new evidence, it has been determined that the test for prosecution is no longer met on evidential grounds, and therefore the case should not proceed. "The prosecution team and the police investigation team met with the complainant and her family this morning to explain the reasons for the decision.""

"All charges faced by both defendants were formally withdrawn at Laganside Youth Court on Friday."

""All PPS decisions in this case were taken independently, impartially and in line with the code for prosecutors. "Due to the importance of respecting the privacy, anonymity, and wellbeing of all the young people involved, including the complainant, the PPS will not be making any further comment. "We would appeal to the public not to engage in speculation, including online, about the case.""

An alleged serious sexual assault in June in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena involved a teenage girl and sparked days of race-related anti-immigration rioting and sporadic violence elsewhere in Northern Ireland. Two boys, aged 14 and 15, were accused of attempting to rape the girl and had been held in custody since a June court appearance, addressing the court through a Romanian interpreter. The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) reviewed the case after being made aware of significant evidential developments and determined the evidential test for prosecution was no longer met. All charges were formally withdrawn at Laganside Youth Court. The prosecution and police met the complainant and her family and the PPS urged the public not to speculate, citing privacy and wellbeing concerns for the young people involved.

Read at Irish Independent