‘DEPRAVED AND DISGUSTING’ - PENSIONER JAILED FOR RAPING SCHOOLGIRL WHO PLEADED WITH HIM TO STOP
A terrified schoolgirl was raped by a pensioner in a "depraved and disgusting" attack.John McDonald, 72, ignored the child's pleas for him to stop as he forced himself on her, a court heard.
Newcastle Crown Court was told the young victim, who was "bubbly, happy and caring, who loved animals and trusted adults" is now scared to go out playing or even leave her mother's side.
The girl's mum said, in victim impact statement read out in court: "She won't leave my side, she won't go out and play at all.
She thinks being away from me means this will happen again to her.
She wakes up screaming and kicking out.
She calls this her night terrors.
The girl's mum said, in court: "I hear her screaming 'stop' and 'no'.
She is too young to have had any sexual experiences.
What she will remember is how an old man forced himself on her and how scared she was, how there was no-one there to help her.
The future will be hard for her.
She won't trust people.
I can't begin to think how this will affect her.
The girl's mum also said: "These are all things she has to live with every day.
The harm he has done to my daughter and our family will never be able to be quantified.
McDonald, of Haltwhistle, Northumberland, pleaded guilty to rape of a child under 13.
Judge Tim Gittins sentenced him to seven years behind bars with a one year extended licence period.
McDonald must register as a sex offender and abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order for life.
The judge said the attack was "depraved and disgusting" and told McDonald: "No sentence, frankly, can adequately repair the damage you have done and I think you know that." Judge Gittins said the attack, which was McDonald's first ever offence, was a "gross fall from grace".
Sue Hirst, defending, said McDonald himself has described what he did as a "heinous crime" and added: "His remorse is very genuine.
"This was so out of character for him he is able to recognise and has the insight to realise the harm he has caused." Miss Hirst added: "In his words, to say sorry is not enough.
Words will not be enough to change the situation."
