Prosecutors have dropped charges against two Romanian teenagers accused of raping a schoolgirl in Ballymena, an allegation that triggered race riots in Northern Ireland. The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) cited 'significant evidential developments' in its decision to end criminal proceedings against the boys, aged 14 and 15.
The teenagers had been charged with raping the teenage girl on 7 June in the County Antrim town. The allegation sparked a violent campaign against foreigners, especially ethnic Roma immigrants from eastern Europe, causing dozens of families to flee and copycat disturbances to spread to other towns.
The PPS said in a statement it had a duty to consider new information or evidence. '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.' Prosecutors and police met the complainant and her family to explain the decision.
Belfast youth court granted the request to withdraw charges, paving the way for the release of the boys from juvenile detention. District Judge George Conner said: 'This is a very sensitive case, but the matters are now marked withdrawn. The less I say about it the better.'
DCI Stephanie Finlay urged the public not to speculate about the case. 'I would remind everyone to remain respectful in light of today's decision, and refrain from speculation, particularly on social media.' The collapse of the prosecution gave a fresh twist to a case that became a focus for anti-immigrant protests.
