A 16-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after teen thugs caused £40,000 worth of devastation to a luxury apartment in East Belfast .
The property owner has been left devastated after vandals armed with sledgehammers tore down walls, smashed windows and broke furniture during a late-night party.
The flat which overlooks the River Lagan was rented out through booking.com by a woman who purchased a one-night stay for her 16-year-old daughter.
Allegedly, the girl then sent out party invitations for last Saturday night on Snapchat.
Owner William, who did not want his surname to be used, told Belfast Live: "It is a complete disaster. I am shocked and devastated that this has happened.
"The extent of the destruction is unbelievable, it makes me sick to the bottom of my stomach.
"There is now a hole in the wall between the kitchen and hall because they used sledgehammers to break through.
"The windows have been smashed, doors broke, the kitchen and bathrooms are wrecked, everything is ruined."
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On the booking.com website, William who has rented out the property for two years, explicitly states under the 'house rules' section that parties and events are not allowed at the apartment - which is usually rented out to tourists.
However, up to 40 youths are believed to have been in the property and residents witnessed some scaling the railings in order to gain entry.
William added: "The apartment was rented out for a 16-year-old girl by her mum and in my eyes I think she should be arrested and held responsible along with her daughter.
"I have been told that the repairs will cost around £40,000 which I have to cover myself.
"I've contacted Booking.com to report what happened and their solution was to waive the £9.80 commission fee which isn't going to be much help.
"I have no faith that I will get a penny back from those responsible."
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William, who was in Enniskillen for the Easter holidays when he found out, has now returned to Belfast to help with repairs.
He has had to cancel 42 bookings and give full refunds to potential customers in the wake of the mindless attack.
He said: "It is an absolute shame. We were fully booked over Easter and it was heartbreaking having to cancel on people who were looking forward to their holidays and give full refunds, which is just extra money lost on top of the refurb costs.
"The contractors have said the place should be ready again within a month but this has really put me off doing anything like this again."
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police are investigating a report of criminal damage being caused to an apartment in the Short Strand area of Belfast on Saturday, 13th April.
"A 16-year-old female youth was arrested by police and has been released on bail pending further enquiries."
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