A Romanian in Ballymena has claimed he has 'lost everything' and his family has been forced to flee abroad after he was wrongly arrested following the alleged attempted rape of a local schoolgirl.
The 28-year-old father-of-two named Alex said his home and car were attacked by anti-immigrant rioters while he was in custody and again a second time when he returned home after being released without charge.
Two 14-year old boys had earlier appeared in court charged with attempted rape, needing a Romanian interpreter to follow proceedings.
Alex claims his family have suffered 'indescribable threats' and 'humiliation' in the past week. He and his wife are in hiding while his mother has taken his two daughters to Romania because they are not safe in Ballymena.
But he has apologised after a series of boorish and defiant social media posts, including one where he blew kisses and waved money on camera. In another he appeared dismiss his Audi being destroyed by rioters.
