DANNY MACMILLAN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND RAPE IN HULL'S ST GEORGE'S RECREATION GROUND
In December 2017, Danny MacMillan, a man from Hull, was released from custody after serving part of his sentence.His criminal case, which garnered significant attention, dates back to a disturbing incident that occurred in March 2014 involving a 14-year-old girl in Hull.
MacMillan, aged 36 at the time, was accused of luring a young schoolgirl with promises of cigarettes before subjecting her to a sexual assault in St George’s Recreation Ground, located off Gordon Street in west Hull.
The girl, who was dressed in her school uniform, was approached by MacMillan, an odd-job worker, who initially gained her trust by buying cigarettes for her and her friend.
According to the prosecution, this was part of a grooming process aimed at exploiting her vulnerability.
During the four-day trial at Hull Crown Court, the jury heard that MacMillan had denied the charges of rape and sexual assault.
However, evidence presented during the proceedings, including DNA analysis, confirmed his involvement.
His DNA was found on both the inside and outside of the girl’s trousers, strengthening the case against him.
The prosecution, led by Martin Sharpe, argued that MacMillan had met the girl alone for the first time on the day of the assault, which took place on November 13, 2012.
MacMillan claimed that the girl had sent him explicit pictures of herself and that she had performed a sex act on him after leading him into some bushes in the park.
He admitted to encouraging the act but described his actions as a “moment of madness.” Despite this, he acknowledged that he knew the girl was below the age of sexual consent but was uncertain of her exact age.
Communication between MacMillan and the girl was established through WhatsApp, a popular messaging app among teenagers.
Throughout the trial, the court was shown a DVD recording of the victim describing her fears and trauma.
She expressed that she was scared of the dark and that the mention of the word “rape” deeply affected her.
The jury, consisting of ten women and two men, was visibly moved when they learned that the girl had begun to self-harm as a result of her ordeal.
Judge Simon Jack, presiding over the case, highlighted the profound impact the incident had on her life.
He detailed how her trust in others had been shattered, and she now fears going out after dark or visiting friends’ homes.
Her family, especially her mother, has become highly protective, and her mood swings have increased, making it difficult for her to enjoy normal social interactions.
Judge Jack emphasized that the girl’s suffering extended beyond physical trauma, affecting her mental health and overall well-being.
He noted that the word “rape” triggers a very negative response in her, underscoring the lasting damage caused by MacMillan’s actions.
In sentencing, Judge Jack acknowledged that the starting point for a conviction of rape against a child of her age would typically be around eight years.
However, he pointed out several aggravating factors, including the fact that MacMillan committed two sexual assaults immediately before the rape, which justified an increased sentence.
Consequently, he sentenced MacMillan to nine years in prison.
Outside the court, Detective Constable Rob Milner, who led the investigation, praised the bravery of the victim and her family.
He stated, “She is a young, impressionable girl who has gone through a very traumatic experience, but she had the courage to come forward and made a very early disclosure about what had happened.
MacMillan is clearly a predator who has used social media to groom her with offers of cigarettes.
She has trusted him and he has abused that position.” Judge Jack also informed MacMillan that he would serve a substantial portion of his sentence before being eligible for release on licence.
Although MacMillan had two previous convictions for public order offences, he had no prior convictions related to sexual offences.
As part of his sentence, MacMillan was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.
His case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by predators exploiting social media platforms to target vulnerable young individuals in Hull.
