JOHN DOHERTY SENTENCED FOR REPEATED RAPE IN COVENTRY AND BALLYGORMAN

In a case that spanned decades and finally brought justice to a young girl from Coventry, John Doherty, a man now aged 76, has been convicted of multiple counts of rape committed against a 14-year-old girl during the 1970s. The heinous acts took place in Coventry, where Doherty, then a skip hire business owner, repeatedly forced his way into the girl’s home as she returned from school, exploiting her trust and vulnerability.

At Warwick Crown Court, Doherty, who was living in Coventry at the time, entered a plea of not guilty to three charges of raping the underage girl. Despite his denial, the jury deliberated for less than two hours before reaching a unanimous verdict of guilt on all counts. The court subsequently sentenced him to 19 years in prison, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for the victim.

Prosecutor Jennifer Josephs detailed the disturbing timeline of events, revealing that Doherty, who was familiar with the girl’s family, targeted her during a period when she was approximately 14 years old. Knowing she would be home alone after school hours while her parents were at work, Doherty would arrive at her Coventry residence with the intent to exploit her. On multiple occasions, he managed to gain entry into her home, where he would physically assault her, pushing her to the floor, pulling down her underwear, and raping her.

Following each assault, Doherty threatened the girl, warning her that if she disclosed what had happened, no one would believe her, especially since he would deny the allegations. His manipulative tactics extended to parking his van away from her house to avoid detection, and when she attempted to secure her home by locking the door, he would hide nearby, waiting for her to return. On one such occasion, as she was inserting her key into the lock, Doherty suddenly jumped out, pushed her inside, and assaulted her again.

It was only after the girl eventually confided in someone about the abuse that the police became involved. However, Doherty denied the allegations at that time and continued to deny them when she made a formal complaint in the 1990s. The case was reopened after the passage of many years, leading to his conviction.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Sarah Buckingham described Doherty’s actions as a campaign of repeated rape over several months. She emphasized that Doherty’s confidence in his ability to keep his crimes secret, including parking his van away from the house and hiding, allowed him to carry out his assaults undetected. The judge highlighted the severe psychological harm inflicted on the victim, noting that she was a virgin at the time and that her sense of safety and childhood innocence had been irreparably damaged.

In a statement read out by prosecutor Jennifer Josephs, the victim expressed her enduring pain, stating that Doherty had destroyed her childhood and haunted her throughout her life. The court also heard from Doherty’s defense attorney, Rebecca Wade, who acknowledged the jury’s findings and pointed out that Doherty, now residing in Malin Head, Ballygorman, Ireland, had not committed any further crimes since the incidents. Wade highlighted Doherty’s contributions to employment through his Coventry skip business and mentioned that recent personal hardships, including the loss of his son, had affected him deeply.

However, Judge Buckingham made it clear that Doherty’s actions were egregious and deliberate. She ordered him to register as a sex offender for life and condemned his arrogance and confidence in his ability to commit these crimes without consequence. The judge underscored the gravity of his offenses, noting that his victim was a young girl in her own home, and that his actions caused her profound psychological trauma. She concluded by stating that Doherty’s reputation as a respected member of his community was a facade, as his true character was revealed through his criminal conduct.