Man charged after slurry spread across town centre

A black paved street with businesses down the side of it. There are suds on the ground as people clean up the slurry which was spread.Scott Cuthbertson

The clean-up operation on Greenvale Street

A man has been charged after slurry was spread on the streets in Ballymena - an incident the police are treating as a hate crime.

The slurry was spotted on the streets of the town, including Greenvale Street, at 02:55 BST on Saturday.

The 19-year-old man was arrested in the Granville Road area and has been charged with criminal damage, possession of an article with a blade or point and causing material to be deposited on a road.

He is due to appear at Coleraine Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Slurry spread in a zig-zag pattern down a pedestrian street.Local business owner

The slurry was spotted on the streets of Ballymena, including Greenvale Street on Saturday

Local businesses and people affected were part of a clean-up operation on Saturday morning.

Ballymena's first ever Pride parade took place in the town on Saturday afternoon.

The parade started at 14:00 BST and ended at Greenvale Street.

'Anger and sadness'

Director of Ballymena Pride Curtis Lee told BBC News NI that there "was anger and sadness after last night's incident".

"This won't deter us, the love over fear theme of Ballymena Pride is more important than ever."

Curtis Lee has short blonde hair with dark bits on the side. He is wearing clear rounded glasses, a white and black shirt, a black t-shirt and a silver necklace. In the background is people standing and waiting for the pride parade to start, and there is a rainbow coloured flag.

Director of Ballymena Pride Curtis Lee said there 'was anger and sadness after last night's incident'

'Disgusting'

Politicians and representatives have been reacting to the incident on social media.

The Justice Minister Naomi Long said: "I despair the mentality of those who spread slurry on the streets of their town motivated by hate and bigotry. Disgusting in every sense of the word.

"Solidarity to all at Ballymena Pride. It's a frightening time but love will always triumph over hate," she added.

Alliance MLA for Ballymena, Sian Mulholland, said there is "no place for this kind of disgusting and deliberate attempt to intimidate, disrupt, or shame those taking part in a peaceful and joyful celebration of love, identity, and community".

She said she has spoken directly to the police and parade organisers and has engaged with the council to "ensure cleansing takes place urgently and the route is made safe and welcoming for all".

Scott Cuthbertson. He has a beard, wearing a blue cap, blue check shirt and grey t-shirt. He has a rainbow heard on his cheek.

Scott Cuthbertson from the Rainbow Project thanked local businesses who helped with the clean up

Speaking to BBC News NI, Scott Cuthbertson from the Rainbow Project described those who spread the slurry as "disgusting bigots".

"A huge thank you to the local businesses who have rallied round to clean up the mess. The lesson for these bigots, Pride goes on."

Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan called the incident "disgraceful" and added that it was "clearly intended to disrupt Ballymena's first pride parade and intimidate those taking part".

"I want to express my solidarity with everyone involved in Ballymena Pride, who will make history today by marching through the town," he added.

SDLP councillor Denise Johnston said: "Shame on those who came out and spread slurry on the streets of Ballymena last night to send a message to our LGBQT community."

First Pride takes place in Ballymena

Danni and Brian Penny crouched down on the ground with their two dogs. Danni has dark hair tied up with a red bandana, wearing sunglasses, a beige t-shirt and jeans. Brian is wearing a white cap, sunglasses, headphones around his neck, a Liverpool jersey and shorts. One of the dogs is a dark brown staffy wearing a rainbow bandana, the other dog is white and light brown with a red collar.

Danni and Brian Penny were at Ballymena Pride on behalf of their son who is trans

Danni and Brian Penny were at Ballymena Pride on behalf of their son who is trans and lives in England.

Danni said it was "really, really important" that Ballymena had a Pride event.

"I'm overwhelmed with how many people are here and I think with all the trouble we've had recently that this is what we need to bring people together," she told BBC News NI.

Brian said: "It's on behalf of our son that we're here and it's just great to see so many people here."

He said he didn't think the slurry incident put a dampener on the event.

"Look at the people here, it hasn't stopped anybody coming and that's what it's all about."

Espresso Martini and Coral Hole Mandi. Espresso Martini has short brown curly hair, wearing sunglasses, a leopard print pink shirt and bright coloured t-shirt. Coral Hall Mandy is wearing a fish-themed headpiece, bright makeup and multi-coloured dress.

Espresso Martini and Coral Hole Mandi were among those celebrating Ballymena's first Pride event

Coral Hole Mandi said: "It's the first time Ballymena has probably seen such a pop of colour.

"We're just here to show that there's different people that exist out there, we exist we're not going anywhere and we're here to celebrate that today."

Espresso Martini said it was "more important now than ever that we come out and celebrate Ballymena's pride and queer community".

Jack Gibson. He has light brown hair and beard, wearing glasses and a green North Face hoody.

Alliance councillor Jack Gibson said the event was "long overdue"

Jack Gibson is an Alliance councillor on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and said the Pride event in Ballymena was a "moment of celebration for the town".

"I'm really proud that it's happening in the town, I think it's overdue," Gibson told BBC News NI.

"Ballymena has had, to put it mildly, a tough time of it in the last month or so, it's great to see something so positive happening in the town."

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