Two in court after attack

The Moat Road house living room with fire damage to the wall, floor and ceiling from the petrol bomb attack on Friday evening. The two children in the house were sitting on the sofa when the attack happened. INBT 36-857H

Sandy Carley (38), of Orkney Drive was charged with attempted intimidation, affray, and causing criminal damage to a car.

A youth (17), who cannot be named for legal reasons was charged with throwing a petrol bomb and attempted arson.

These offences were alleged to have taken place on September 1.

Both defendants were remanded on bail to appear at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Meanwhile detectives in Ballymena are investigating another petrol bomb attack this time on a property in the Moat Road area of the town.

At approximately 12:45 am on Saturday the front window of a house was smashed and two bottles containing flammable liquid were thrown inside. A person who was asleep in the living room at the time escaped with minor injuries and extensive damage was caused to the interior of the property.

Harryville Alderman Martin Clarke told the Times that this incident on the Moat Road was a sinister development for the area.

He said: “This is nothing short of attempted murder. This young man got out but he could have been burnt or even worse, we could have been looking at a fatality.”

Clarke spoke to the victim on Monday, “He has a young family that sometimes stays at night but thankfully they weren’t there,” he added.

“I condemn this activity, it is a good area and doesn’t normally have anything like this.”

Detectives would ask anyone with information to contact Ballymena CID on 028 2566 7202 or 0845 600 8000.

Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.