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Mother and teen daughter among those in court over Northern Ireland riots

The PSNI said it is continuing to make daily arrests relating to the recent disorder (file image)
The PSNI said it is continuing to make daily arrests relating to the recent disorder (file image)

A mother and her teenage daughter have appeared in court facing charges arising from rioting in Ballymena last week.

The 13-year-old schoolgirl is charged with rioting in the Co Antrim town last Wednesday night.

Her 39-year-old mother, who cannot be named to protect her daughter's identity, was charged with child cruelty on the same date.

A PSNI detective constable told Coleraine Magistrates Court that the teenage girl was present along with "hundreds of others" causing damage to public and private property.

The officer claimed the 13-year-old was there for around two and a half hours during which time she was allegedly seen throwing stones at police.

He said CCTV footage showed her mother present during the disorder and watching her daughter throwing items at police.

The court was told the woman was present when her daughter was struck by a blast from a police water cannon, and had given her daughter a drink after the disorder.

The woman was granted bail.

Her 13-year-old daughter was also released on bail and will appear again at the Youth Court early next month.

Two County Antrim men have also appeared before Coleraine Magistrates Court charged in connection with rioting.

Bobby Rainey, aged 23, from Camberwell Way, in Ballymena, was charged with rioting on 10 June this year.

Detective Constable Cooke said he believed he could connect Mr Rainey to the charge.

Defence solicitor Andrew Kinney said although there was no application for bail today, he would be lodging one later this week.

District Judge Peter King remanded Mr Rainey into custody until 19 June.

Separately, 40-year-old Martin Bruin Gamble, from Ard-na-Maine in Cullybackey, was charged with multiple offences, all alleged to have been committed on 9 June.

Mr Gamble was charged with two counts of riot, one under common law and one under public order legislation, theft of a police officer's handcuffs, resisting and obstructing the police.

Det Cont Cooke said he believed he could connect Mr Gamble to each of the charges and as defence counsel Grant Powles confirmed he was not applying for bail, Judge King remanded him into custody to appear again on 10 July.

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PSNI continuing to make arrests in relation to disorder

In a statement, the PSNI said it is continuing to make daily arrests relating to the recent disorder.

Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said 64 police officers were injured during the disorder, but said the situation is now much calmer.

Asst Chief Cont Jones said Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and other senior members of the PSNI have been meeting with local community representatives of those affected over the weekend.

"Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets. So, just as we will seek justice for women and girls who report heinous crimes to us, we will also seek justice for local innocent families who are being targeted by criminality fuelled by hate," she said.

She also reiterated an appeal for information around images released by police of a number of individuals they wish to interview.

"If you are able to identify any of the people shown in these images or can provide information about them you should contact us on 101 or on our major incident portal, which is accessible on our website," she said.

"I would also like to reassure the communities that we serve that we will continue to maintain our presence and protect streets.

"We are grateful for the support of all who condemn this criminality and would, once more, repeat our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days."