Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
JACKSON RAPE CHARGE UNDER FIRE
Prosecutors to be challenged over decision on rugby star case
THE Public Prosecution Service is to be challenged over the decision to proceed with a rape charge against Paddy Jackson.
Pressure is mounting on the
PPS to explain their position after concerns arose they had initially considered no prosecution of the rugby player.
PROSECUTORS are facing scrutiny over how Paddy Jackson came to be charged with rape, the Daily Mirror has learned.
It is understood they have been asked if at any stage a No Charge recommendation was made or expected to be made in 2016.
Now extensive paperwork, emails and internal correspondence from inside the Public Prosecution Service may be sought after concerns were raised that the decision to charge the rugby player and his three friends may not have been clear cut.
Jackson, 26, and 25-year-old Stuart Olding were acquitted last week of the charges against them at Belfast Crown Court by a jury who took three hours and 45 minutes to reach a unanimous decision after an eight-week trial.
The PSNI could also be drawn into the query and it is believed a request may be made for police case notes and all early thoughts and recommendations about the matter. A source said: “Rape is one of the most serious criminal complaints police handle and they took the claims very seriously from the get-go.
“They interviewed the complainant. They interviewed the four men several times. They interviewed witnesses.
“They examined a lot of details on all sides and in the end they recommended no charge. There was a feeling they didn’t have what’s needed for a rape case to stand up. The case went to trial. The result was unanimous. The men were found not guilty.”
The complainant, now aged 21, gave evidence over eight days in the witness box and was examined by Prosecutor Toby Hedworth QC and cross-examined by four of the UK’S top barristers. Ten PSNI officers from the Rape Crime Unit gave evidence in the 42-day trial where Jackson stood accused of rape and sexual assault. Olding was acused of rape.
Blane Mcilroy, 26, was accused of exposing himself and Rory Harrison, 25, was accused of perverting the course of justice and withholding information.
All four men were unanimously acquitted of the charges by a jury in front of Crown Court Judge Patricia Smyth last Wednesday.
Jackson and Olding are currently waiting to hear if they will resume their rugby careers with Ulster and Ireland.
Social media is swamped with demands they never pull on an Irish or Ulster rugby jersey again following court references to loutish texts and group sexual behaviour.
CAMPAIGN
And an online campaign demanding the IRFU reviews the details of the trial has been signed by almost 65,000 people who claim the trial highlighted worrying and inappropriate conduct and attitudes.
A source told the Daily Mirror: “Without doubt Paddy Jackson is more determined than ever to get his green jersey back on. He is fit and ready. There’ll be no backing down. He was acquitted unanimously.
“The people who are calling for him and Stuart to be barred or sacked from their profession are not in possession of all the facts and by jumping on the bandwagon they’re just making matters worse.
“We have to give the IRFU a chance in anticipation it’ll make the right decision. If not Paddy will go straight to the Sporting Board of Arbitration Appeal Court.”
Ulster rugby star Craig Gilroy has issued an “unreserved apology” over a Whatsapp message to Olding and described it as “totally inappropriate”.