Two men in court over rape charge

Two men have appeared in court in Belfast charged in connection with the rape of a teenage girl in the city at the weekend.

Robert Andrew Adams, 19, from Manor Court, Belfast, appeared before Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday.

He was charged with raping the 16-year-old girl in Drumglass Park on the Lisburn Road on Friday November 9. The attack happened at around 10pm on Friday, when the girl and her 15-year-old female friend were approached by three men at Cranmore Park. A short time later one of the men attacked her and subjected her to a serious sexual assault.

In court on Monday Mr Adams denied the charge and only spoke to confirm his name. A detective constable told the court he believed he could connect the accused to the charges. An application for bail was refused and Mr Adams was remanded in custody to appear in the High Court on 19 November.

Graham Nelson, 19, from Boyne Court in Belfast, was charged with withholding information about the alleged rape. He was remanded on bail for a week.

Police believe a couple in the 40s or 50s who were walking in the area of Cranmore Park/Lisburn Road may have noticed a distressed girl. Detectives are urging this couple to come forward. Police are also appealing to anyone who heard screams or shouts coming from Cranmore Park at 10pm on Friday 9 November to contact them. Detectives at Musgrave Street can be contacted on 9065 0222 or Crimestoppers can be used on 0800 555 111. (AMcE)