Man charged in Ballymena teen sexual assault case as third suspect arrested

A man has been formally charged in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old teenage girl in the Ballykeel area of Ballymena, with a second suspect released on bail and a third man now in police custody.

The incident, which is reported to have occurred during daylight hours on Saturday 24th May 2025, shocked the local community and prompted a significant police investigation led by detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

In a statement issued today, Wednesday 25th June, a PSNI spokesperson confirmed:

“Detectives investigating the report of a sexual assault of a teenage girl in the Ballykeel area on Saturday 24th May, have charged a man to court.”

The man, who is in his 30s, has been charged with multiple serious offences including:

• Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity

• Sexual assault

• Sexual communication with a child

He is scheduled to appear before Coleraine Magistrates’ Court today. The police added:

“As is usual procedure, all charges are reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.”

Meanwhile, a second man, also in his 30s, who had previously been arrested in connection with the same investigation, has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

In a further development, detectives have arrested a third man—again aged in his 30s—who remains in custody at this time.

Police have not disclosed additional details regarding the roles or alleged involvement of each suspect, but investigations are said to be ongoing.

The incident has prompted concern among residents in the Ballymena area, particularly given the age of the victim and the proximity of the alleged assault to residential communities.

Detectives continue to appeal to the public for any information that may assist their enquiries and urge anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious around the time of the incident to contact them via 101, quoting reference number CW 1706-29/05/25.