MALCOLM MACDONALD OF HABROUGH SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS FOR BRUTAL SEX ASSAULTS IN HULL

In April 2011, Malcolm MacDonald, a 63-year-old man from Cravens Lane, Habrough, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 11 years after being convicted of a series of severe sexual offenses. The conviction followed a rigorous two-week trial at Hull Crown Court, where the jury found him guilty of 21 out of 34 charges, including 12 counts of rape. Throughout the trial, MacDonald maintained his innocence, denying all allegations, but the jury deliberated for over seven hours across two days before reaching their verdict.

Evidence presented during the proceedings revealed that MacDonald employed violence against all of his victims, although notably not during the actual acts of rape or indecent assault. The court heard harrowing testimonies from the victims, one of whom expressed feelings of shame and dirtiness, stating, “I was so ashamed. I felt dirty.”

One of the victims was pregnant at the time of the assault, and there was a claim from one girl that she later became pregnant following one of the incidents. However, the jury ultimately cleared MacDonald of this particular offense and several others. The trial also included a victim who had to give her evidence via a video link from Canada, highlighting the extensive impact of the case.

Recorder Rodney Jameson QC addressed MacDonald directly, emphasizing the gravity of the crimes: “These are obviously offences of the greatest seriousness. There was a background of intimidation and threats at the time not to reveal what was happening.”

In mitigation, Jonathan Spicer noted that MacDonald had no prior convictions, aside from a caution for assault causing actual bodily harm in 2007. He pointed out that no other offenses had come to light since then. Spicer also clarified that MacDonald did not use violence to coerce his victims into sexual acts initially. The defense highlighted that MacDonald had already served 479 days in custody and suggested that the severity of the sentence could potentially lead to his death in prison.

Following the sentencing, it was mandated that MacDonald register as a sex offender for life. Case officer Detective Constable Dave Bell expressed his perspective on the verdicts, stating, “The verdicts and the prison sentence are what the victims deserve. I hope it will bring some closure to them. The victims will be pleased with the verdicts.”

It was also noted that three of the guilty verdicts were reached on majorities of 11 to one, with the remaining verdict decided by a majority of 10 to two, underscoring the strength of the jury’s conviction.