Ulster Rugby Rape Trial: Verdicts Prompt Outpouring Of Support For Alleged Victim

The judge said the case probably the most difficult jury trial in Northern Irish history.
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The acquittal of two international rugby players of rape has prompted an outpouring of online support for their alleged victim, under the hashtag #ibelieveher.

Paddy Jackson, 26, and Stuart Olding, 25, both from Belfast, were accused of rape by a woman who joined them on a night out in June 2016. They denied the charges, with Jackson denying a further charge of sexual assault.

The trial, which was described byJudge Patricia Smith as “the most difficult ... that any jury in Northern Ireland has ever been asked to adjudicate on”, unfolded over nine weeks and ended on Wednesday.

Smith told the jury before their deliberations that she would only accept a unanimous verdict, with all jurors required to be in agreement.

Minutes after the not guilty verdicts were announced, people began showing support for the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and criticising the lengthy and often harrowing trial.

The #IBelieveHer hashtag gives an insight into how deeply upsetting this court case was for so many people. If nothing else, it must surely lead to a change in how rape trials are conducted. Is there any other crime in which the alleged victim appears to be the one on trial?

— Sarah McInerney (@SarahAMcInerney) March 28, 2018

Appalled and disgusted by the verdicts in Belfast rape trial - so sickened - #Ibelieveher

— SAFE Ireland (@SAFEIreland) March 28, 2018

My niece took her own life rather than face the trauma of a rape trial. The CPS wanted to proceed with a prosecution against her will. Huge admiration for the woman in the rugby rape case for seeking justice. For what it's worth #Ibelieveher

— Dave Smith (@ffflow) March 28, 2018

I hope the victim gets a sense of the overwhelming support for her & takes ❤️ in the fact that so many of us sincerely appreciate her bravery and strength. She has inspired a movement. #ibelieveher

— Ciara Fitzpatrick (@C_Fitz_) March 28, 2018

Rallies in solidarity with the alleged victim are planned in Limerick and Dublin on Thursday.

Important protest in #Limerick tomorrow #ibelieveher pic.twitter.com/FjoI6auRXs

— Cian Prendiville (@cianplk) March 28, 2018

The outpouring of grief and rage from rape survivors who have been retraumatised by the Belfast rape trials should move us all. Solidarity rally at the Spire in Dublin, tmrw Thurs 29th at 12.30 #SmashThePatriarchy #Ibelieveher

— Cllr Sarah Holland (@VoteHollandSF) March 28, 2018

A Rape Crisis Network Ireland spokeswoman said the “protracted” case and its coverage had a “profound impact”.

She added: “The verdict notwithstanding, we want to acknowledge and respond to the impact on everyone who has followed this trail in the media but particularly for survivors.

“This has been a protracted sexual crime case with considerable public attention stretching almost daily over almost two months.

“We want to say very clearly today to survivors of sexual crime that when you need us or are ready to talk about what happened to you we in Rape Crisis will be there for you, we believe you, and we will support you.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Paula Hilman, head of the public protection branch at the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said: “This has been a difficult time for all those involved in this trial. We have faith and trust in the legal system and respect the verdict.

“I would like to pay tribute to the young woman who had the resolve and confidence to come forward and put her faith in police and the criminal justice process.”

She added that the alleged victim had been named on social media, in contravention of her legal right to lifetime anonymity. The officer said the force would investigate any naming of the woman.

Detective Chief Inspector Zoe McKee, senior investigating officer in the case, said the complainant is “upset and disappointed” at the verdict.

She added: “We do not want the decision in today’s verdict to deter victims from coming forward. And I think it’s very, very important. There are no winners here. This case was unprecedented.

“It was a case that has never been heard before – the complexity, the volume, the scale – and I think we cannot compare like for like in terms of cases, so I would encourage everybody who wants to make a report to police to come forward in the knowledge that you will be treated sensitively and with respect and your allegation in the court will be taken very seriously.”

The rape was alleged to have happened during an afterparty at Jackson’s home in south Belfast in June 28, 2016.

The woman told the court she was attacked after going upstairs to retrieve a handbag, having decided to leave the party because the “mood changed”.

The woman claimed Jackson had followed her into the bedroom, pushed her onto the bed pulled down her trousers and pants, then penetrated her.

She further alleged Olding walked into the room and forced her to perform oral sex.

Jackson and Olding were arrested two days after the alleged attack. They answered all questions during interviews but when they were re-interviewed in October they made no comment, on legal advice.

During the trial, jurors heard the content of group WhatsApp messages in which Olding and Jackson boasted about having sex.

Olding described a woman he had sex with as “very, very loose” and said he and his friends were “all top shaggers”.

Paddy Jackson addresses reporters after the verdicts
Paddy Jackson addresses reporters after the verdicts
PAUL FAITH via Getty Images

Brendan Kelly QC, who defended Jackson in court, told jurors his client had character references that described him as “placid” and a “likeable lad with no self importance”.

Speaking outside Belfast Crown Court after the acquittal, Jackson said: “I’d just like to thank the judge and the jury for giving me a fair trial, my parents for being here every day, as well as my brother and sisters.”

Jackson also thanked his barristers and solicitors. “Out of respect for my employers I’ve nothing further to comment,” he said.

Jackson’s lawyer, Joe McVeigh, hit out at what he called “the flood of misinformed, misconceived and malicious content on the internet” about the trial, adding the judge had faced an “onslaught of toxic contempt, particularly on Twitter”.

In a statement, the Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby said Jackson and Olding would not return to the rugby pitch while an internal review took place.

They said: “We wish to acknowledge that this has undoubtedly been a difficult and extremely traumatic time for all involved.

“To respect the judicial proceedings, the IRFU and Ulster Rugby postponed any internal review of the matter with the players, until the proceedings concluded.

Following the verdict, many people announced they would be donating to rape crisis centres in Northern Ireland.

One Twitter user, Eric Flanagan, tweeted: “After the Belfast verdict, I’ve donated to Galway Rape Crisis Centre. Urge anyone else that is angry to do so too. Find your local branch via http://www.rapecrisishelp.ie/find-a-service/”.

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