The alleged victim of an Isle of Wight councillor, who faces rape and indecent assault charges, has started giving evidence in his trial.
The woman said she was scarred for life by the incidents, which the 46-year-old man, is accused of.
He is said to have sexually assaulted her when they were both children.
The charges
The trial started yesterday morning (Monday) at the Isle of Wight Crown Court, but the defendant was found not guilty by Recorder Richard Onslow of the first charge — indecent assault on a girl under 14 years — as the prosecution presented no evidence.
But a new indictment was put to the defendant, charging him with two counts of rape between June 1990 and March 1992 and one of indecent assault of a girl under 13 years old, by having sexual intercourse between March and June 1990.
He pleaded not guilty to the three counts.
Mr Nick Tucker, prosecuting, said in the years following the offences the victim did not understand what had gone on and it was only after having sex education classes at school did she realise it was wrong.
Contacted police after counselling
Initially, Mr Tucker said the victim was reluctant to go to the police, but after counselling, she approached them.
On two occasions, it is alleged the defendant penetrated the victim with his penis.
Victim: You took my virginity from me
In a video interview shown to the court, his victim said,
“I don’t know how it came about but I ended up on my back on the floor, he wasn’t holding me down.
“The first time he properly penetrated me, I didn’t know what he was doing with me.
“I can remember his stubble on my skin … I tried to get him off as it hurt.
“The second time … I remember the pain of him trying to penetrate me.
“You took my virginity from me and that is something that should not have happened.”
The victim revealed to the court she had post-traumatic stress disorder because of the abuse.
The trial continues at the Isle of Wight Crown Court today (Tuesday).
Article edit
11.58am 14th Feb 2023 – Today the LDR issued an update, calling for the paragraph referring to motion to dismiss be removed for legal reasons.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
