ReutersAttempted rape charges against two Romanian teenagers, that sparked widespread racially-motivated riots across Northern Ireland, have been withdrawn.
The boys, aged 14 and 15, were accused of attempting to rape a schoolgirl in Ballymena, County Antrim on 7 June.
In a previous court hearing there were claims that the girl was dragged down an alleyway into a garage, but escaped when her would-be attackers were disturbed and ran off.
However, the Public Prosecution Service was granted permission to end criminal proceedings against the pair due to “significant evidential developments”, at Belfast Youth Court on Friday.
PacemakerThe teenagers will now be released from the juvenile detention centre where they have been held for more than five months.
Another youth, who is suspected to be involved in the alleged attack, is believed to have fled to Romania the next day.
None of the accused can be identified because of their ages.
Following the alleged assault widespread racially-motivated took place in the town before spreading to other parts of Northern Ireland.
A spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said: “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.”
‘Very sensitive case’
The defendants’ barristers raised no objection to the withdrawal application.
“The sooner this can be relayed to Woodlands [Juvenile Justice Centre] the sooner these two youths can be released,” counsel said.
District Judge George Conner said he was aware “this is a very sensitive case”, adding that “the less I say about it the better”.