Probation service failed me, says rape victim

A TEENAGE victim of Joseph McCann, the serial rapist, has said that the probation service had “failed” to keep her and her family safe.

The 17-year-old and her younger brother were attacked in their family home in May last year when McCann tied up their mother with the electric cable of a pair of hair straighteners.

She told BBC News she felt “anger and so much upset for everyone that the probation service failed to keep us safe”, adding: “He has previous for sexual abuse and nothing was acted on.”

Her criticism came after a Government report found the probation service’s south-east and eastern division “did not manage McCann effectively”. After being released from prison in January last year, McCann went on to commit a string of attacks on 11 women and children last year.

The official review from the Ministry of Justice found that probation, police, and prison authorities were warned as early as 2011 that he had the hallmarks of a sex offender. His young victim said she had “developed really bad anxiety” following the attack.

She said: “Before any of this happened I had a lovely home, a close family and a really good job. After this happened I lost everything, including my family home of 12 years and my relationship with my family. I struggle to sleep each night and live in fear. I can’t be in places on my own and my confidence has gone down.”

She added: “My whole life will be controlled from what happened, living in constant fear. I feel my life is in danger, I question situations during the day and feel nervous around people.”

During the attack, she managed to free her family after jumping from a first-floor window. She said being her “family’s hero” helps her get out of bed.

“Knowing I have my whole life to live and I got away from such a dangerous man shows I have courage and the fact I was able to keep my brother and mother safe is enough for me,” she said.

McCann was sentenced to 33 life sentences and jailed for a minimum of 30 years last December.