Teen accused of pier attack ‘is abused by community’

Assault accused: Cora Campbell A TEENAGER accused of involvement in a “vicious assault” on a girl on Bangor pier faces abuse from both sides of the community, a judge has heard.

Newtownards Magistrates Court heard claims that when 18-year-old Cora Campbell crosses from one side of the community to the other as she reports to police three times a week, she is often abused by both.

In addition, defence counsel Conor O’Kane revealed the teenager is “living under a loyalist death threat”.

Applying for her bail conditions to be relaxed, Mr O’Kane told the court: “Every time she walks to the police station, she gets abuse... she gets abuse from the nationalist community and abuse from members of the loyalist community.”

Campbell, with an address at English Street in Downpatrick, is one of three teenagers accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a teenager in an attack on April 20.

The incident was recorded and spread across social media.

A 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy have also been charged.

Previous courts have heard claims that the victim was “lured” to the pier where she was allegedly attacked by Campbell and her co-accused, the two landing numerous kicks and punches.

At one stage the victim had alcohol poured in her face and a male recording the footage can be heard encouraging the two to continue the attack.

Yesterday, a detective constable told Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter she would be reluctant to lift the 7pm-7am curfew.

However, as Campbell wears an electronic tag, she said she didn’t believe that signing in at a police station three times a week was necessary.

Mr O’Kane asked for the curfew time to be pushed back for a few hours, submitting that with the light evenings, “it’s a bit draconian to have a teenager in by seven”.

Judge Prenter said while he would remove the reporting condition, he would not remove the curfew, but relaxed it so that Campbell has to be home by 10pm.