TEENAGER JAILED AFTER HIS VICTIM RECORDED HIM CONFESSING TO HIS CRIME
A teenage girl was raped by Samuel Carney, who then returned to playing video games as though nothing had happened.Carney attacked her while she was asleep, leaving her feeling 'horrified' and 'frozen' with fear.
Despite this, the girl managed to seek justice by secretly recording Carney’s confession, during which he expressed remorse, saying he 'regretted it every day and would regret it until the day he died.' Today, a judge commended her 'extraordinary courage' for her actions and reassured her that her opportunities for rebuilding her life were still open.
However, he warned Carney that his current denial would not serve him well.
Liverpool Crown Court was told that Carney, aged 18 at the time, attacked the sleeping girl.
She awoke to find him raping her, having pulled aside her shorts and underwear.
Prosecutor Charlotte Kenny explained she remembered feeling horrified and immobilised as Carney continued, then turned away to watch TV or play on his computer.
The girl later recorded a phone call in which Carney made admissions, which proved crucial during the trial.
He claimed she was awake during the assault and that the sexual act was consensual.
Carney had no previous criminal history.
Defending, Rishton said he was in a difficult position, noting Carney’s complete denial of guilt.
He argued that Carney’s young age and the fact that this was a one-time incident should be taken into account, characterising it as a serious but isolated mistake with significant repercussions.
Rishton acknowledged the deep harm caused but also highlighted Carney’s current positive prospects and family support, including his mother and brother, who attended the trial.
He described Carney as a young man capable of rehabilitation who was unlikely to offend again.
Carney was convicted of rape by a jury and, appearing via video from HMP Liverpool in a beige short-sleeved shirt, received a five-year sentence and was ordered to sign the sex offenders' register indefinitely.
Judge Andrew Menary KC stated that the victim was horrified and frozen when she awoke, and that she later recorded a phone call revealing Carney’s remorse and denial.
The judge remarked on her profound trauma night terrors, self-harm, panic attacks, and social withdrawal and noted she was just beyond childhood at the time of the attack.
Though Carney was 18 and had no prior convictions, studying mental health nursing before his conviction, the judge emphasised that responsibility for her suffering rested solely with him.
He advised that honest acknowledgment of his actions and remorse are necessary for his future, warning that continued denial would hinder his rehabilitation.
