Police praise 'tremendous bravery' of teenage rape victim

Constabulary says support is available to those who wish to report sexual abuse

A warning that this story contains information which some readers may find upsetting.

Police have praised the ‘tremendous bravery’ shown by a teenage girl who was raped by three men at a property in Douglas.

James Doherty, Steven Cannon and Graham Skillicorn were jailed this week (5 December) for a combined total of more than 46 years after being found guilty of the offence after trial.

The victim – who was 18-years-old at the time - was attacked at a property in Anagh Coar in the early hours of 25 June 2022.

You can find out more HERE.

'Courage'

The Isle of Man Constabulary has commended the now 20-year-old for reporting the matter to police and having the courage to stand in court to give her evidence ‘in the presence of those responsible’.

In a statement it added: “Being the victim of any form of sexual offence is extremely traumatic and upsetting and it takes courage to report such matters.

“Specialist officers from the Protecting Vulnerable People Safeguarding and Investigations Team are available to speak with anyone who wishes to report any sexual offence and those officers will be able to offer the support, guidance and advice to victims throughout any police investigation.”

The constabulary has also thanked the Attorney General’s Chambers and Victim Support Isle of Man.

‘Broken Toy’

During sentencing, at the Court of General Gaol Delivery, the woman’s victim impact statement was read to the court.

She described how her life had ‘changed forever’ after going on a night out with a friend on 24 June 2022 and ending up at Skillicorn’s home with Doherty and Cannon.

There, the court heard, she’d ‘blacked out’ due to the alcohol and drugs she’d consumed before coming round and realising she was being raped.  

The trio’s actions, the woman said, had made her feel her life was ‘worthless’ adding: “The flashbacks I’ve had are unbearable at times. I cannot breathe and I feel the world is falling in on me.

“I didn’t think it was worth living anymore. These horrible men made me feel my life was worthless,” she added.

Describing giving evidence at the trial as the ‘most horrific thing’ the woman said the whole ordeal had affected both her and her loved ones.

“My family and friends look at me like a broken toy that needs fixing,” she concluded.

Rapists

JAMES MARCUS DOHERTY

The 41-year-old, who has 41 previous convictions for 110 offences, was jailed for 16 years for the offence of rape.

He’ll also be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Doherty’s advocate told the court his client had ‘no remorse’ something echoed by Deemster Graeme Cook who removed him from the dock before sentencing due to his continued disruptive behaviour.

“That is a further example of a total lack of remorse,” the deemster added: “It is completely unacceptable.”

Concluding there were no mitigating factors Deemster Cook told the court: “His display has been nothing short of disgusting. He still to this day cannot accept he’s done anything wrong.”

STEVEN JOHN CANNON

The 45-year-old was jailed for 14 years and two months for the offence of rape.

He’ll also be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

His advocate said alcohol had taken over his client’s life adding: “He realises he’s going to receive a significant prison sentence.”

GRAHAM PETER SKILLICORN

The 65-year-old was jailed for 15 years and nine months for the offence of rape.

He’ll also be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Skillicorn’s advocate said his client was ‘not a man in good health’ adding: “He may not see the end of a sizeable prison sentence.”

The advocate added, in his own way, Skillicorn was a ‘vulnerable man’ who may have been influenced by the others adding his offending was ‘opportunistic’ and showed a ‘lack of consequential thinking’.

Addressing Skillicorn Deemster Cook told him: “I hope you are thoroughly ashamed.”

‘Animals’ 

Praising the woman for her ‘courage’ in reporting the matter to police Deemster Cook said it was clear the men had taken advantage of her adding: “This was, in fact, a gang rape.”

The court was also told the attack had been recorded which increased the ‘humiliation’ for the victim; all three men had unprotected sex with the teenager and all were under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time.

Addressing the defendants in the dock as he jailed them the deemster added: “None of you had the courage to come forward and say ‘yes I did it’. You behaved like a pack of animals.”

Support

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this story there are details of local organisations that provide advice and support HERE.