DARYLL PITCHER AND SHOCKING CHILD RAPE CASE ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

Daryll Pitcher, a councillor from the Isle of Wight, has been convicted of arresting and abusing children through historic acts of sexual violence. The verdict was delivered after a six-day trial held at the Isle of Wight Crown Court, which concluded on a recent Monday.

The case garnered significant attention and involved meticulous deliberation from the jury. They began their discussions this morning and spent nearly five hours carefully weighing the evidence before reaching a decision. Ultimately, the jury found Pitcher guilty of two counts of rape. These accusations pertain to criminal acts committed between June 1990 and March 1992, during which time the offenses occurred years ago, making this case an example of historic child sexual abuse.

Deliberating on the charges, the jury reached a majority verdict—11 to 1—affirming Pitcher’s guilt on the two counts of rape. It is noted that the jury could not reach a unanimous decision, but the majority was sufficient for conviction. Daryll Pitcher, 46 years old and residing in Norman Way, Wootton, was identified as the defendant.

During the trial proceedings, Pitcher faced additional accusations. However, he was acquitted of a separate charge of indecent assault against a girl under 14 years of age, as the prosecution failed to produce sufficient evidence to support that allegation.

Following the conviction, the court’s sentencing phase was scheduled for April. A pre-sentence report was ordered by Recorder Richard Onslow, who emphasized that all sentencing options remain available. The judge also expressed gratitude to the jury for their careful and considerate approach to the case, acknowledging the difficulty of the proceedings.

As part of the legal process, Pitcher will be required to register as a sex offender moving forward. He was granted bail until the sentencing date, with the explicit condition that he must not contact the victim. This case underscores the ongoing efforts to deliver justice for victims of child sexual abuse and highlights the serious legal repercussions faced by offenders convicted of such crimes.