JOSEPH MCDONAGH FROM CHEETHAM HILL SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN MANCHESTER

In November 2019, a deeply disturbing case unfolded in Manchester involving Joseph McDonagh, a 31-year-old man from Cheetham Hill, who was convicted of heinous sexual assault and subjected to a lengthy prison sentence. The court heard harrowing details of how McDonagh, described by the judge as a 'violent and manipulative bully,' inflicted unimaginable trauma on a teenage girl during a brutal assault.

During the trial at Manchester Crown Court, it was revealed that McDonagh had assaulted the young victim for over two hours, a period marked by violence, threats, and emotional abuse. Under the influence of cocaine and alcohol, he called her a 'slag' and threatened her with further violence if she did not comply with his demands. The court was told that he falsely claimed his actions were 'sex education,' a statement that added to the trauma experienced by the girl.

The assault left the girl with physical injuries, including scratches and a cut lip. More profoundly, she suffered emotional scars that, according to the judge, would take much longer to heal. The court heard that she felt dehumanized, describing her experience as being treated like a 'thing' or an object. Her ordeal had a lasting impact on her mental health, with reports indicating she felt sad most of the time and experienced guilt even when she felt happiness. Following the attack, she took an overdose, highlighting the severe psychological toll it had taken.

Judge Hilary Manley did not hold back in her condemnation of the police procedures, criticizing the decision to have a male officer question the teenage victim about her ordeal for more than two hours. She described this as 'little short of further abuse,' emphasizing that it was incomprehensible that the girl was expected to recount intimate details of her trauma to a male officer over such an extended period. The judge pointed out that this added to her suffering and was a failure of the justice system to protect victims adequately.

McDonagh's criminal behavior was further compounded by his persistent denial of wrongdoing, despite overwhelming evidence and the court's findings. The judge described him as a 'dangerous' offender and sentenced him to 16 years in prison, with a requirement to serve at least two-thirds of that term before being eligible for parole. Additionally, he will be on license for a further eight years after his release.

Before sentencing, Judge Manley made it clear that McDonagh's actions were solely responsible for his punishment, emphasizing that the victim, still a child, was not at fault. She expressed concern over the significant delay in bringing the case to trial, noting that McDonagh only appeared before magistrates a year after the initial police complaint. Further delays were caused by his attempts to postpone the trial to accommodate a witness who ultimately was not called.

The judge also acknowledged the courage and resilience shown by the victim, praising her for her maturity in the face of such adversity. She expressed hope that, with proper support and understanding, the girl could come to terms with her trauma and build a positive future. The case has raised serious concerns about the handling of sexual assault cases and the treatment of victims within the criminal justice system, prompting calls for reform and greater sensitivity in such proceedings.