October 2013 Boy rape victim ‘hopes paedophile rots in jail’ THE victim of a 67-year-old paedophile who was jailed for ten years says he hopes the man who stole his innocence “rots in his little cell”. He spoke out after a court heard that Dennis Rafferty, of Brickyard Lane, Kilburn, could die during his jail term, which was imposed for leaving a schoolboy rape victim “emotionally wrecked”. Rafferty, who has worked in pubs around Derby, began to abuse his young target from the age of seven and kept committing offences against him for seven years. In 2011, his victim plucked up the courage to report the abuse to Derbyshire police officers. The victim, who has made several attempts to take his own life because of the abuse he suffered, said: “They listened to me and said they would sort it out. “The most important thing was people believed me and my family supported me. I moved counties because I didn’t want to be looked upon as a victim. “I still don’t feel what they call closure but there is the fact people believed me so that is something positive out of it. “He took the innocence of my childhood and I hope he rots in his little cell. “Anyone who does what he did is absolutely disgusting and disgraceful. “He should never be allowed out on the streets again.” At the hearing in Derby Crown Court, Recorder Paul Mann QC told Rafferty as he sent him to jail: “It is often said paedophiles like you steal children’s childhoods. “You cripple people emotionally for life. This is an extremely serious case of its kind. “He was ten when you raped him for the first time. You had been asking him to let you do that for some time and he always said no. “You had your way against his wishes. He had a convulsive fit. “He was emotionally wrecked, resorted to drugs and made attempts at suicide. “You have led the life of a predatory paedophile.” Grace Hale, prosecuting, told the court that Rafferty forced the boy into sexual activity over a period of several years. The boy ended up with physical injuries and another young victim was abused when he went to Rafferty’s home several years ago. When the victim was 14, he heard the term “paedophile” used by friends and asked what it meant. He was told “it involved children being touched”. Mrs Hale told the court: “He asked the defendant about the term – he asked if he was a paedophile. He said he was not. “The complainant stood up to the defendant that he didn’t want sexual activity because it was wrong. “The defendant stopped treating the complainant to sweets, chocolates and cigarettes and also stopped giving the complainant money.” “That brought an end to the abuse but Rafferty saw him three years later and tried to touch him.” The victim was so overwrought that he ran away up a busy road and could have been knocked over, the court heard. He was rescued by police and taken home. Mrs Hale said: “He resorted to drink and drugs and self-harm because he was disgusted with himself. “He has difficulties forming relationships.” In 2011, he reported the abuse to police and told them all his childhood memories were blighted “by the awful things he did with me”. Steve Gosnell, for Rafferty, said: “He knows he could see the end of his life incarcerated. He made a decision to plead guilty at 67. He knows where the sentence will take him.” Mr Gosnell, who referred to “the horrors of the case,” said Rafferty had given an early indication that he would plead guilty, saving his victim from worrying about the prospect of having to give evidence. Rafferty was put on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life. He had been in custody since April and was sentenced in June but publicity surrounding the case was banned until the end of other legal action. Afterwards the victim was praised by DC Michelle Crilley, of Derbyshire police, who handled the case. She said: “The victim was extremely brave to come forward. I hope he can now put this all behind him and move on with his life. “I also hope that this encourages anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to report it to the police.”