I'M NOT GOING TO COPE, MAM': VIOLENT RAPIST CRIED TO HIS MUM WHEN JURY FOUND HIM GUILTY
James McGuigan, aged 42, proclaimed his innocence but was found guilty of rape and assault occasioning actual bodily harm following a court trial.The offences took place at a property in Hull, East Yorkshire, during the summer of the previous year, involving the same female victim, who is legally protected from identification.
In February, during the trial at Hull Crown Court, McGuigan was seen crying in the dock and expressed his distress to his parents in the public gallery, saying, "I'm not going to cope, Mam.
What am I going to do?" The court was told that the assault started when McGuigan, from Trent Park, Kingswood, punched the victim in the head, causing pain and dizziness.
He then grabbed her face, insulting her by calling her a derogatory term.
He performed a sexual act and subsequently raped her while she was crying.
After the assault, he strangled her to the point of unconsciousness, covering her neck with his hands.
He then took her mobile and taunted her, saying no one loved or liked her.
He continued to verbally abuse her and threatened to kill her if she told the police.
The frightened victim believed the threats were serious.
Her face was bruised and swollen after the incident; she told her mother about the assault but initially did not disclose the rape.
Police were contacted, and she later reported the sexual assault after being incarcerated for unrelated matters.
She explained in a police video interview that shame and embarrassment prevented earlier disclosure, but she felt secure in jail.
McGuigan had an extensive criminal record, including 19 court appearances and 62 charges, primarily for dishonesty and drugs.
In 2011, he received a 70-month prison sentence for heroin possession with intent to supply and was on licence at the time of the recent assault.
His defense lawyer, Emma Bennett, stated that he was suffering from depression, anxiety, and stress at the time and was on medication for insomnia.
Judge Simon Jack sentenced him to eight years for the rape and one year for the assault, with both sentences to be served concurrently.
He also mandated that McGuigan remain on the sex offenders register for life.
