The defendants, who are both 14 years old, are jointly charged with the attempted oral rape of a female on June 7. The defendants, who cannot be named due to their ages, appeared at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court by videolink from custody where, speaking through an interpreter, they confirmed they understood the charge against them.

According to a police statement at the weekend, the alleged victim was subjected to a “serious sexual assault” in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena, sometime between 7.30pm and 10.30pm, on Saturday evening.

Detective Inspector Olphert of the PSNI’s Public Protection Branch said: “Two teenage boys have since been arrested in connection with the investigation and are being questioned in custody. Specialist officers are continuing to support the girl, who has been left extremely distressed and traumatised by what has happened. We would reiterate to the public not to speculate or share information on social media — this is not helpful towards the ongoing investigation.

If you were in the Clonavon Terrace or Waveney Road area [on Saturday] evening and witnessed what happened or noticed anything suspicious, please make contact with police on 101, quoting reference number 1522 07/06/25.”

In court today, Detective Constable Neill gave evidence that she believed she could connect the teenagers to the charge. She revealed that the police are also seeking a third suspect who is “around the same age”.

Defence solicitor Niall O’Neill said while there was no issue taken with the formal connection, “there is no application for bail this morning” as there is no suitable bail address for them to reside. Mr O’Neill told District Judge Peter King that during police interviews the two boys denied the offence and provided samples to the police for forensic testing. Mr O’Neill suggested taking the case for a week in the hope that, by that stage, the defence will have obtained a suitable bail address.

Judge King said the problem with that was that “I do not have the power to remand them to an adult court” and that the next youth court was not scheduled until July 2. Remanding the pair into custody until that date, he suggested to Mr O’Neill that if a bail address becomes available in the meantime, the defence can lodge a Bring Forward application.

Source: Sunday World.