Black belt beast raped girl, 17, who had mental ability of a 5-year-old Abuse took place when tae kwon do monster, 54, was supposed to be giving teen one-to-one lessons
I was frightened but I did what he said MONAGHAN’S VICTIM IN FILMED EVIDENCE
A MARTIAL arts instructor was found guilty yesterday of repeatedly raping a teenager with severe learning disabilities.
Edward Monaghan, 54, was supposed to be giving the girl private tae kwon do lessons. Instead, he raped her at his home in Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, and in the car park at the town’s Craigendoran station.
The abuse took place on various occasions between October 2014 and January 2015.
His victim, who is now 21, has a very low IQ and is assessed as having the mental capacity of a five or six-year-old child.
In filmed evidence shown to the High Court in Glasgow, the woman said: “I was frightened but I did what he said. He was a black belt in tae kwon do.”
Monaghan, a council binman and grandad, was found guilty after a trial of raping the woman, who is incapable of giving consent.
He claimed she was a willing participant and admitted they’d carried out some sex acts but denied having sexual intercourse with her.
Monaghan met his victim when she was 16 and began teaching her tae kwon do.
The court heard he suggested to her parents, who trusted him, that she should have private lessons. He would collect her in his car from her home before raping her.
The crime came to light when his victim’s mother noticed her chatting with someone on Facebook. When she saw the messages from Monaghan, she contacted the police.
The first offender claimed in court that he believed his victim was capable of giving consent. But prosecutor Angela Gray said: “He knew that she had attended a special school.”
The court heard he sent the girl a lewd Facebook message and she replied: “I don’t understand.” Monaghan wrote: “I know.”
Judge Robert Weir QC deferred sentence until next month.
Monaghan was placed on the sex offenders’ register. He was granted bail but given a curfew.