Victim takes own life after childhood rape

Chelsea Rorison’s mother, Wendy Neil, said her daughter had suffered nightmares since the attack, which happened when she was 12, and would wake up screaming: “He’s coming to get me. They’ve let him out.”

After a number of suicide attempts, the 18-year-old was found in a park, just yards from the family home in Troon, Ayrshire. She left a note, saying: “Mum, I love you so much.

“You would do anything for me or anyone.

“Am so, so sorry but… he’s won. Love you with all my heart, sweet dreams.”

When Joseph McCann, 64, was found guilty of rape in 2007, and sentenced to ten years in prison, Lord Phillip said: “The effect on your victims cannot be predicted.”

McCann saw his sentenced reduced to eight years on appeal, and will have served six by the time he is released, including one on remand. He also faces four years on licence.

Sandy Brindley, of Rape Crisis Scotland, said: “The realisation that an offender might be released after only a relatively short space of time after committing one of the most serious and devastating crimes of all can cause significant distress. It is important that sentences reflect the seriousness of the crimes for which they are imposed. It is hard to see how six years in prison could ever be an appropriate response to the rape of a 12-year-old girl.”

Ms Neil, 48, said her daughter had never got over the attack.

“That beast ruined her life,” she said. “She was never the same after what he put her through.

“She was in her bedroom greeting all the time. She would have nightmares and wake up screaming.

McCann raped Chelsea between 1 October and 25 December, 2005.

The court heard he plied three young girls and a boy with alcopops and cannabis at his home.

He then raped Chelsea while another child slept in the same room. A social inquiry report submitted to the court case revealed he showed no remorse for what he had done.

Mrs Neil, a mother-of-five, said her daughter had tried counselling but remained haunted by her ordeal. The hairdressing student had cut her long hair short and was constantly being sick.

Then, on 22 August, police called at her door.

“They asked if Chelsea was in and I said ‘yes’ and sent my son to check,” she said.

“When he came and said she wasn’t in her room I just knew straight away and just broke down crying, ‘No, oh no.’”

Chelsea was rushed to Crosshouse Hospital, in Kilmarnock, but could not be saved.

Then her mother received a letter from the Scottish Prison Service saying McCann would be released before Christmas. She said: “I hate him so much. He should never be allowed out of prison.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “This is a horrific tragedy and our sincere sympathy is with the family.

“Sentencing is a matter for individual justices of the peace, sheriffs and judges.”