Two teenage boys charged with attempted rape

TWO Romanian teenage boys have been charged with attempted rape.

The case relates to a report of a serious sexual assault which occurred on Saturday, June 7 in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena sometime between 7.30pm and 10.30pm.

The boys, who are both 14-years-old and cannot be identified because of their ages, appeared at Coleraine Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning via video link from custody.

The defendants are charged with attempted oral rape of a female.

Speaking through an interpreter the defendants confirmed their names and ages and that they understood the charge.

A police officer said she could connect the defendants to the charge before the court.

She added that there was a potential suspect outstanding believed to be around the same age as the defendants.

A defence solicitor for both defendants, said there would be no application for bail as there was no suitable address.

He added that during police interview both boys denied the offences.

District Judge, Peter King, remanded the pair into custody to appear at the next Youth Court sitting in Ballymena on July 2.

He advised the solicitor that if a bail address became available in the meantime the defence could lodge a bring forward application.