Man arrested on suspicion of two counts of sexual assault on and off a train between Coleraine and Ballymena

Two young women reported being approached and sexually assaulted by a man unknown to them, with one woman reporting the approach took place on the train around 6pm, and the second woman reporting to police on their arrival to the station, that she was approached whilst seated on the platform just before 6.30pm.

Chief Inspector Boyd said: “Officers attended the initial report and arrested a man who matched the description given to them.

"He remains in custody at this time, where he will be interviewed on suspicion of these offences.

“We are very grateful to the member of Translink staff who assisted the young woman on the train, and to the staff who made it possible for police to co-ordinate resources and arrest the suspect at Ballymena Train Station.

“As we continue with our enquiries, we appeal to anyone who was either on the train or on the platform at the time of the reports and who may have noticed a suspicious approach, to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1526 of 20/11/23. A report can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ .”