YOUNG RAPE VICTIM FACES DELAYS AS OFFENDER WALKS FREE DESPITE CONVICTION
Lee MacNamara was convicted of raping a schoolgirl when she was just 16 years old in 2014.Although found guilty in December last year, he has still not been sentenced.
Despite his conviction, he remains out on bail after his next court date set for July 20.
The victim, now 20, has spoken about her trauma, expressing frustration at the delayed sentencing and his continued freedom.
MacNamara, 30, from East View, Newcastle, targeted his young victim when she was home alone after an exam.
It took almost a year for police to arrest him after she reported the assault, and in September 2015 he was charged with two counts of rape, which he denied.
He was remanded in custody but later released on conditional bail.
His initial trial was scheduled for May 2016 but was delayed; he later had to face two trials after the first collapsed, with the final conviction in December 2017.
The delays in sentencing and his bail status have caused additional distress for the victim and her family.
Campaigners and police officials have criticized the delays and bail decision, calling for prioritization of rape cases to ensure justice and support for victims.
