PATRICK CORRIGAN FROM TUFFLEY ESCAPES JUSTICE IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE DESPITE YEARS OF ABUSE

In a deeply troubling case that has spanned over four decades, Patrick Corrigan, a 72-year-old man from Tuffley, Gloucestershire, has been released from court without a conviction due to his diagnosed dementia. The case, which involved the systematic abuse of two young girls, has left a lasting scar on the victims and has raised serious questions about the justice system's handling of offenders with severe mental health issues.

Corrigan's history of abuse is extensive, with allegations dating back to the late 1960s and continuing into the 2010s. The first victim, who was under 16 at the time, was subjected to rape and indecency between 1971 and 1976. Additionally, Corrigan faced charges of indecency with a child from 1969 to 1971, and indecent assault on the same individual, who later became an adult, between 1997 and 2011. The second victim's case involved similar patterns of abuse, although he was not convicted of rape in her case.

One of the most harrowing aspects of this case is that Corrigan's abuse of the first girl resulted in her becoming pregnant at the age of 13. She subsequently gave birth when she was 14, and both she and her child were placed into care, with the baby later being adopted. The victim recounted to police that Corrigan had made her perform sexual acts from the age of nine, and that he began raping her when she was 11. DNA evidence confirmed Corrigan was the father of her child, despite his denial of any sexual contact with her during her childhood.

Throughout the trial, which took place under the Mental Health Act in July, Corrigan's mental state was a central issue. Psychiatrists and psychologists advised that he was unfit to stand trial due to dementia, rendering him unable to understand court proceedings, instruct legal counsel, or give evidence. A judge initially agreed with this assessment in June, leading to the case being adjourned for further psychiatric evaluation. When Corrigan appeared before Gloucester Crown Court yesterday, the court was faced with the difficult decision of how to proceed.

Prosecutor Ray Tully explained that, under the Mental Health Act, the options available were limited to a hospital order, a supervision order, or discharge. Given Corrigan's mental incapacity, the only feasible choice was to discharge him, a decision that was met with somber acknowledgment by all parties involved. Corrigan's legal representative, Christopher Amis, noted that the probation service had declined to prepare a report due to his disability, leaving the court with no alternative but to release him.

Judge William Hart addressed Corrigan directly, acknowledging the jury's verdict that he had committed the acts he was accused of. The judge expressed hope that this acknowledgment provided some measure of reassurance to the victims who had testified. He clarified that Corrigan's mental condition disqualified him from being detained under a hospital order, and that supervision by social services or probation would be ineffective given his state. Consequently, the court had no choice but to discharge Corrigan, though not without imposing strict conditions.

As part of the court's measures to protect the public, Corrigan was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits any unsupervised contact with children under 16 and any contact with the victims involved in the case. Furthermore, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of five years. These measures aim to mitigate the risk posed by Corrigan, despite his release.

The case came to light last year when one of the victims disclosed to police that she had been sexually abused by Corrigan from the age of nine until she was 16. She revealed that Corrigan forced her to perform sexual acts and later raped her when she was 11. The abuse was reportedly frequent, occurring up to four times a week, and resulted in her pregnancy at 13. The subsequent birth of her child, who was placed for adoption, marked a tragic chapter in her life. DNA testing confirmed Corrigan's paternity, despite his denial of any sexual contact with her during her childhood.

In later years, the victim visited Corrigan's home on two occasions, during which he made sexual advances towards her. The second victim's abuse followed a similar pattern, although she was not raped. The jury found that Corrigan had committed all 19 charges brought against him, highlighting the profound impact his actions had on the victims' lives. The judge remarked that if Corrigan had been fit to stand trial and had been convicted, he would have faced a sentence of approximately 15 years.

Commenting on the case, David Tucker, Associate Head of Policy at the NSPCC, expressed his concern: "It’s desperately unfortunate that the appalling damage caused by this man cannot be properly reflected in a prison sentence. The victims suffered horrendous sexual abuse over a number of years and will no doubt need counselling and support to help get their lives back on track. The only crumb of comfort they can take from this dreadful case is that their stories have been believed."