Charities condemn light sentences

19th January 2009

Three thugs who gang-raped a teenager with learning disabilities before they horrifically burnt her with caustic soda have today (19 January 2009) been given insultingly low sentences. Rogel McMorris was sentenced to a total of 9 years for two counts of rape and one of unlawful wounding. Jason Brew and Hector Muaimba were sentenced to 6 years for rape. Ironically and tragically the sentences coincide with publication of a Government’s strategy dealing with crime against people with learning disabilities.

The UK’s leading charities against abuse of people with learning disabilities have condemned the lightness of the sentences. “This was a horrific and cowardly attack that scarred and traumatised this young woman both physically and mentally” said Richard Curen, Chief Executive of Respond. “These sentences are another injury and I fear it will take even longer for her to recover.”

“Most people don’t realise that people with learning disabilities are more likely to be victims of rape” said Deborah Kitson, Director of The Ann Craft Trust. “They can also face lots of hurdles in getting justice and fear not being believed if they come forward. Sentences such as this can damage people’s confidence in the courts.”

Kathryn Stone OBE, Chief Executive of VOICE UK, stated “these sentences don’t come close to reflecting the brutality and horror of this attack. They send completely the wrong message to society and it’s ironic it comes on the day the Government says how it will tackle crime against people with learning disabilities.”

In January 2008, the teenager was lured to an unoccupied house in Tottenham, North London, where she was gang-raped by up to ten young men. After they had finished with her the gang covered her “head to toe” with caustic soda – a drain cleaner. The teenager suffered deep burns and has had to undergo repeated surgery since the attack.

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