Violent protests erupted in Ballymena, with attacks on police and house and car fires, following a case of sexual assault allegedly committed by two Romanians

<p>Hundreds of masked protesters attacked police and caused havoc in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, on the second night of violence linked to a sexual assault case. Police reported 'serious disorder' and police were attacked with Molotov cocktails and stones. The fires destroyed houses and cars and the investigation is looking into racially motivated hate crimes, as the accused are two citizens who were "overheard" speaking Romanian. The British government condemned the violence.