A young girl who stood up to her rapist has seen him jailed for 10 years. David McDonald raped the girl when she was a teenager. He was arrested after the victim bravely told a teacher what had happened, prompting an investigation.
Conviction and Sentencing
The 64-year-old, of Newton Aycliffe, was charged with several offences, including rape and multiple counts of sexual assault. McDonald denied the charges and went on trial at Durham Crown Court earlier this year, where a jury found him guilty of rape. He was acquitted of the other charges. Appearing back at court on Friday, June 5, McDonald was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was also handed an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim and was placed on the sex offenders' register for life.
Victim Impact
In a victim impact statement, the girl said McDonald had ruined her life. The Officer in the Case, Samantha Geraghty from Darlington Safeguarding Team, praised the victim's bravery. “I’d like to commend the young girl for the immense bravery she has shown throughout this investigation and subsequent court process. By standing up to her rapist and having her voice heard, she has helped to get a dangerous man off the streets,” Geraghty said.
Support for Victims
If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse, call Durham Constabulary on 101, or dial 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, reports can be made online via the force's reporting page. For those not ready to speak to police, several agencies offer support: The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre provides free, confidential healthcare and compassionate support (call 0330 223 0099 or visit www.sarcdurham.co.uk). The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is available 24/7 (call 0808 500 2222 or visit www.247sexualabusesupport.org.uk). The Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC) offers free specialist support (call 01325 354119, email info@rsacc-thecentre.org.uk, or visit www.rsacc-thecentre.org.uk). The NSPCC can be reached at 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk, and Childline at 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk.
