Courts / Cork / Report

Man had friends hold sister down while he raped her as a teen

Date
2024-07-31
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Blackpool
County
Cork

Summary

Marcus Duggan, aged 53, was convicted of two indecent assault and one rape offences committed between 1983 and 1991. The crimes involved his sister, Yvonne Ratcliffe, who was 12, 15 and 18 at the times of the incidents. In each case, Duggan's friends held her down while he assaulted or raped her. Ratcliffe, who waived anonymity, gave a victim impact statement describing the abuse, shame and isolation she endured. Prosecutor Patricia McLoughlin highlighted the family's poverty, neglect and exposure to pornography. Judge Tony Hunt sentenced Duggan to five years' imprisonment, suspending the final year on strict conditions, and directed that he have no contact with Ratcliffe. The sentence was back‑dated to the date of his custody. No other convictions or prior offences were recorded. Marcus Duggan pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man had friends hold sister down while he raped her as a teen. Charges or matters: a number of offences but was convicted of two charges of indecent assault and one of rape on dates between 1983 to 1991 following a Central Criminal Court trial earlier this year; the offences. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

Why: She didn't tell anyone what happened because she was "too scared and too ashamed". CNI source report

Case subjects

Marcus Duggan

Convicted Person

Charges: a number of offences but was convicted of two charges of indecent assault and one of rape on dates between 1983 to 1991 following a Central Criminal Court trial earlier this year; the offences (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Mr Justice Hunt sentenced Duggan to five years in prison. Mr Justice Hunt directed Duggan not to have any contact with Ms Ratcliffe directly or indirectly on a permanent basis and if he commits any sexual offending upon his release from prison in this jurisdiction, he will have to serve the suspended final year of his sentence.

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request