Youth on trial for robbery and assault of autistic teen

An autistic teenager was allegedly beaten, robbed and indecently assaulted by youths known to him through Facebook, the High …

An autistic teenager was allegedly beaten, robbed and indecently assaulted by youths known to him through Facebook, the High Court in Belfast has heard.

He was punched, kicked and threatened along with another boy on the Lagan Bridge, prosecutors said.

During the ordeal a 17-year-old youth is alleged to have taken down his trousers and then sat on the victim.

The accused, from the west of the city, faces charges of grievous bodily harm with intent, robbery, threats to kill and indecent assault over the incident last New Year’s Eve.

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He was granted bail but banned from entering Belfast city centre.

Kate McKay, prosecuting, said the suspect, his co-accused and the victims knew each other through the social networking site. Mr Justice Gillen described the alleged attack as “outrageous”.