Alleged rape victim was ‘staring at and fixated by’ Jackson
Harrison tells court about night out
A WOMAN who has accused Ulster Rugby player Paddy Jackson of rape was “staring at and fixated by him” on the night of the alleged attack, a court heard yesterday.
A statement given to the PSNI by Rory Harrison in June 2016 read: “[The complainant] did not appear to take her eyes off Paddy.”
The court also heard Harrison told police the four Belfast rugby players facing charges in the case had met the day after the alleged rape and did not discuss events from the night before.
His statement read: “We talked about the South Africa tour Paddy had just come back from. There was no discussion about the previous evening.”
The court heard from four PSNI officers from the Rape Crime Unit and it was confirmed Harrison was questioned as a witness on June 30 and voluntarily gave a “buckle swab” which collects DNA from the mouth.
Two officers also told Belfast Crown Court no one asked them to “check or seize” the mobile phone or call records belonging to Harrison, who is charged with perverting the course of justice and withholding information.
Harrison’s initial police statement was read on day 14 of the trial where Jackson, Stuart Olding, Blane Mcilroy and Harrison face charges.
A PSNI constable told the court Harrison had stated he had met Mcilroy, Jackson, his brother Paul Jackson and Olding at Mcilroy’s home on June 27, 2016, before an evening out in Belfast.match
Harrison said when the men returned to Jackson’s house afterwards they were accompanied by a number of women including one who claims she was raped.
The officer read Harrison’s statement to the court: “We headed to Cutter’s Wharf about 8pm to watch the England Euro match. We had gone to the Dirty Onion but it was closed so we headed to Ollie’s at The Merchant Hotel. We didn’t have to pay to get in.
“Some girls talked to us and some people had photos taken with Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding who are professional rugby players for Ulster.
“We had a few drinks but nobody was so drunk that they didn’t know what was going on around them.
“As Paddy was the only one with his own place, we went there but for nothing in particular.
“When we got back there were four or five girls with us. Paddy opened the door and we went in. We were listening to music from my phone linked to speakers.
“Some people were drinking. Everyone was just moving about.
“[The complainant] was one of the girls and she seemed to be staring at and fixated by Paddy. [The complainant] did not appear to take her eyes off Paddy.
“Paddy was the first to go to bed and he went about an hour after we got there. His room is at the top of the stairs. “Everyone else was left in the living room. I saw [the complainant] heading upstairs about five minutes after. Stuart Olding and another girl left the room.
“There was Blane and myself, Dara and one or two of her friends left downstairs. Blane left alone.
“The girls went to get a taxi and I was the only one left in the living room. I went upstairs to say bye to the guys. [The complainant]was standing outside the bedroom door. I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. I walked up to Paddy’s room. He was half awake and said he’d see me later.
“I saw Stuart and the female lying alone on a sofa in another room. They were not touching. They were both fully clothed. I thought about looking for Blane but then I remembered that Paddy’s brother Paul and his girlfriend and their baby lived upstairs and I didn’t want to disturb them.
“I sat in the living room and got a taxi. [The complainant] came into the room and she appeared upset and quiet. I asked her if she was OK but she just sat there and didn’t respond.
“I told her I would drop her home shortly. A taxi arrived and we both got into the back. She kept crying into herself and appeared unsettled. I walked her to her front door and she went inside. I gave her a hug and left.”
The court heard Mcilroy was arrested on June 30 and when cautioned made no reply.
Paddy Jackson, 26, from Oakleigh Park, is accused of rape and one count of sexual assault. Stuart Olding, 24, from Ardenlee Street, is also charged with rape while 26-year-old Blane Mcilroy, from Royal Lodge Road, is charged with exposure.
Rory Harrison, 25, from Manse Road, is charged with perverting the course of justice and withholding information. Each of the men deny all charges against them.
Judge Patricia Smyth told jurors before they broke for the weekend to “be on your guard” and ensure they do not talk about the case.
The trial continues.