A man appeared in court today (Wednesday) where he denied raping and sexually assaulting a 15-year old boy in a derelict Belfast nightclub.
Ziad Khawla, an asylum seeker from Palestine with an address at Ashburne Mews in Belfast, was charged with three offences dating back to last March.
The 26-year old appeared at Belfast Crown Court and entered ‘not guilty’ pleas via an Arabic interpreter. After confirming his identity, Khawla was charged that on March 2, 2024 he raped the teenage complainant. When asked how he pleaded, Khawla replied “not guilty”.
He was then charged with two counts of sexual assault on the same date and denied both charges. Although no details of the alleged offending emerged during today’s arraignment hearing, a previous court heard that the complainant told police he was approached by a stranger near the Waterfront Hall and asked if he wanted a cigarette.
The teenager claimed that they walked together to a disused nightclub where he was pushed to the ground and subjected to a serious sexual assault.
After Khawla entered his ‘not guilty’ pleas, Judge Sandra Crawford said she would review the case on April 8 with a view to fixing a date for trial. Following this, Khawla was released from the dock on continuing bail.
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English (United States) ·