LISTEN: Three teenagers due in court in connection with vicious Bangor assault

By Hannah Spratt

Two teenage girls have been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent following an assault at Bangor Seafront over the weekend.

The attack was videoed and shared widely on social media.

In it, the victim was punched and kicked in the face by another girl and had her head struck off the ground.

A 17-year-old boy has also been charged with a number of offences including aiding and abbetting grievous bodily harm.

All three suspects are due before Downpatricks Magistrates Court this morning.

Local MLA Alan Chambers told Q Radio the video was too distressing to watch in its entirety.

Chief Inspector Gerry McGrath said: “It was reported to us that a 16-year-old girl had been assaulted by a group of teenagers around 7.30pm and that she had sustained a number of facial injuries.

“She has been treated in hospital but her injuries are so severe that medical staff will not be able to carry out x-rays on her face until next week.

“While we appreciate the support of the local community and understand their shock at this assault, we would ask that members of the public do not use social media as a means of progressing this investigation. 

“Our officers are working hard on this case and it is important that we follow due process.

“This was a particularly vicious attack on a young girl and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident on Friday evening to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 1465 of 22/4/18.”