ANTHONY DRAKE FROM DOWNPATRICK SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR CHILD RAPE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Downpatrick, Anthony Drake, a 50-year-old man, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 12 years last week after being found guilty of heinous crimes involving two young girls. The court proceedings revealed that Drake had committed these acts over a span of years, with the earliest offenses dating back to the late 1970s and the most recent occurring in the late 1980s.

According to court records, Drake, who resides in the Dalriada Park area of Downpatrick, lured a seven-year-old girl into the secluded grounds of St Mary’s High School, a local educational institution. The jury was told that he forcibly tore down her trousers and underwear before subjecting her to a brutal rape. The assault took place between 1988 and 1989, leaving the young victim traumatized and in pain. The court heard how the girl, now aged 19, fears that the attack may have compromised her future ability to have children, a concern that underscores the profound and lasting impact of Drake’s actions.

The case also involved a second victim, a girl who was only 10 years old at the time of her assault. This incident occurred sometime between 1979 and 1981, when Drake lured her into an alleyway near her home in South Down. There, he indecently assaulted her, groping and sexually abusing her in a manner that she painfully recounted during the trial. Both victims had kept their experiences secret for years, suffering in silence until they finally found the courage to report the crimes to the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) last year. Their decision to come forward was driven by a fear that Drake might target other young girls if he was not held accountable.

During the three-day trial, a jury composed of ten men and one woman unanimously convicted Drake of the charges against him. The court was told that his actions were both premeditated and involved a degree of planning, highlighting the calculated nature of his crimes. Judge Peter Gibson, presiding over the case, emphasized the severe psychological and emotional toll inflicted on the victims. He noted that the first girl was very concerned about her future fertility, and that the second girl had suffered from insomnia, nausea, and vomiting, and was currently on medication. She also expressed guilt for not reporting her assault earlier, believing her silence might have prevented the second girl from being victimized.

Judge Gibson reviewed victim impact reports, which painted a grim picture of the lasting damage caused by Drake’s perverted acts. He described Drake’s behavior as “perverted and repulsive,” and highlighted that his crimes had profoundly affected the victims’ lives. The judge also pointed out that pre-sentence reports indicated Drake posed a significant risk to the public, justifying his lengthy incarceration.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Gibson condemned Drake’s actions, stating, “Your perverted and repulsive actions led to you raping a seven-year-old girl and indecently assaulting a 10-year-old girl. These attacks, which were both premeditated and involved a degree of planning, had a profound effect on the victims.” As part of his punishment, Drake was ordered to serve 12 years behind bars and to be placed on the RUC’s sex offenders’ register for life upon his release. The case has left the community of Downpatrick deeply disturbed, and the victims’ bravery in coming forward has been commended as a crucial step toward justice.