At first she wasn't believed, but now the sick rapist who attacked her is finally behind bars
02.06.2023 - 05:45
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A sick rapist who subjected a girl to a campaign of rape is finally behind bars. Michael Jolly abused the girl for a number of years before he was arrested.
Manchester Crown Court heard how the victim had tried to tell people about the horrific crimes, which included rape and attempted rape, but was initially not believed by those she confided in.
It was only after the woman came forward when an adult that police became involved, and the extent of the abuse was uncovered - backed up by 'incriminating messages' to her on Jolly's phone.
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Battling through tears to read a victim impact statement to the court, the victim said she used to be 'outgoing and sociable' but when she realised what had been happening was wrong, it 'changed' her.
"I became withdrawn and quite fragile and afraid of people," she said. "It affected my confidence and self esteem and I became cagey. I don't want to get hurt again so I stay away from people.
"It has destroyed my mental health." The victim added that she has particularly bad attachment issues due to the sexual abuse of Jolly.
"I hate him for what he's done and how he took my childhood away from me. But I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I feel more alone now than when it was actually happening.
"Now I'm stuck in a shell I can't get out of."
Defending Jolly, Derek Duffy, told the court there was "no proper argument" against the case being branded a "campaign of rape". Mr Duffy added that Jolly had problems with alcohol abuse and "self hatred".
Mr Duffy said that Jolly had "deluded himself as to what was happening, there's no doubt about that". He added this was one of the reasons why he did not plead guilty