Belfast man jailed for five years for raping schoolgirl
The judge told Newry Crown Court that the victim had the "gold standard of vindication"Darren Clarke, 22, from Beechmount Grove in west Belfast, previously entered guilty pleas to a total of four offences committed on 31 January 2018.Judge Neil Rafferty KC praised the victim's "bravery and persistence" in making sure Clarke ultimately faced justice.
Addressing the harm Clarke had caused, the judge said the victim's family felt compelled to move out of their home which had many happy memories, but which had been "tainted" by the attack in the very place she should have felt most safe. The teenager had to resit exams and that had meant her university plans had been delayed by a year and still to the present day, "she struggles to let her guard down with people".
The court heard Clarke did plead guilty, although it was not at the earliest opportunity, and had expressed remorse. In addition to jailing Clarke, the judge ordered him to sign the police sex offenders register for life and imposed a 10-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order.
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