Disorder in town after alleged sexual assault of girl

There has been disorder in Ballymena after crowds gathered near the location of an alleged sexual assault in the town.

Youths with their faces masked and wearing gloves could be seen throwing masonry.

A police car had what appeared to be two of its windows smashed.

On Clonavon Terrace, which was blocked off on both ends by police Land Rovers, windows of a house had been smashed.

Black smoke filled the air as flames erupted close to a house that had its windows smashed.

There was further damage to a police vehicle, and according to the PSNI, a number of properties.

In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said a "number of missiles have been thrown towards police with damage reported to a number of properties".

Officers are advising motorists and pedestrians to avoid the Clonavon Road area until further notice.

Ch Supt Sue Steen said: "We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly. Violence and disorder will only place people at greater risk".

Earlier, two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates' Court accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the County Antrim town.

A protest of hundreds of people in Ballymena happened hours after the court appearance.

The crowd of men, women and children gathered close to the town centre and marched peacefully along Larne Street and then Queen Street.