An Isle of Wight councillor has been sentenced in court today (Wednesday) for historic rape charges.
Daryll Pitcher, the Vectis Party councillor for Wootton Bridge, had pleaded not guilty to the charges, but was found guilty by a jury (11-1) at the Isle of Wight Crown Court following a six-day trial in February.
The 46-year-old was found guilty of two counts of rape of a girl under the age of 13, between June 1990 and March 1992, when he was himself was between the ages of 13 and 15.
Prison sentence
Due to his age at the time of the crimes, Pitcher has been sentenced to six months on one count and 27 months on the other. They will run at the same time.
Recorder Richard Onslow said the defendant will serve half of his sentence — just over a year — in prison and the remaining year and a bit on licence.
Pitcher has also been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years.
Victim: Scarred for life
The victim, who stepped up to report the crime after a series of counselling sessions, told the court she was scarred for life by the incidents which took place in the early 1990s, and that she had post-traumatic stress disorder because of the abuse.
In February she told the court that the alleged incidents had been ingrained in her memory forever and that she had never forgotten what had happened.
Remained as a councillor
After he was found guilty in February, Mr Pitcher remained in his role as an Isle of Wight councillor, but did not attended any public meetings.
Prior to sentencing a spokesperson for the council explained,
“The council has no powers to remove Cllr Pitcher from his office of councillor and therefore unless he resigns or in future becomes statutorily disqualified from holding office under the Local Government Act 1972 then he remains a councillor.”
News OnTheWight has asked whether this situation has changed now that Pitcher has been sentenced.
Police: Courage for speaking out is commendable
DC Anthony Daniels said,
“The victim in this case, now a grown woman, has lived with the memory of this awful abuse for decades.
“Her courage in speaking out after such a long period of suffering is commendable.
“We take all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously, and want victims to be confident in the knowledge that they will be heard and listened to, and their reports will be believed.”
More detail from the LDR
Louise Hill, the Local Democracy Reporter, who was in court today gave more detail,
“In a victim impact statement read out in court today, his victim said she trusted Pitcher but he ruined her life from a young age, ‘taking her childhood and virginity away from her’.
“She said she has lived in fear of what he did to her and she felt shameful of what happened, thinking she could have stopped the sexual assaults.
“Now, she said she wants him to realise the consequence of his actions and ‘he has had the opportunity to be accountable for his actions but he still would not tell the truth’.
“Earlier in the trial, Pitcher had been found not guilty of indecent assault of a girl under 14 years as the prosecution presented no evidence.
“In Pitcher’s defence, 17 reference letters had been submitted to the court to prove his good character.
“Pitcher had already been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register but will now stay on it for the next ten years.
“A restraining order was also approved today by Mr Onslow forbidding Pitcher to contact his victim or go to the road she lives, indefinitely.
“Pitcher had previously announced plans to appeal his conviction.”
Support for those affected
Not everyone who has been affected by sexual abuse has the confidence to report to police. There are support services out there that can offer help to you, completely independent of the police, should you need support.
The Hampton Trust Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service provides specialist support to victims and survivors, irrespective of whether they have reported to the police, and is free to all Island residents.
The support offered by an ISVA is tailored to the identified needs of the victim/survivor. For further information on the Hampton Trust ISVA service and how to get in touch, please visit www.hamptontrust.org.uk
You can also visit the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website for more information on where to seek independent support in your area.
Article edit
5.25pm 12th Apr 2022 – Extra detail from LDR added
5.55pm 12th Apr 2022 – Comment from Police added
