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Offender who raped younger sister argues jury shouldn't have heard of prior sexual misconduct

Summary

Marcus Duggan, aged 53, appealed his conviction for two indecent assaults and one rape committed between 1983 and 1991 against his younger sister, Yvonne Ratcliffe, aged 52. He argued that evidence of alleged prior sexual misconduct, including pornographic videos viewed in the family home and claims that he had sex with his sister at about eight or nine, should not have been admitted to the jury. His counsel contended that such evidence was prejudicial and irrelevant, and that a hearsay statement from Ratcliffe's father that "Marcus was sorry for what he did" was improperly admitted. The Director of Public Prosecutions defended the admissibility of the background evidence and the father's statement, stating it was not an admission of guilt. The appeal was lodged at the Court of Appeal, with the court reserving judgment. The original trial resulted in a five‑year sentence, with the final year suspended on strict conditions. The case remains at the appeal stage. Marcus Duggan pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Offender who raped younger sister argues jury shouldn't have heard of prior sexual misconduct. 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 last year; the offences. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

• July 31, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
• 1983 to 1991 Incident
• 2025-07-15 Publication

Why: " Mr McGowan submitted that not only had Duggan not been charged with any offences related to that alleged misbehaviour, but he may also have been incapable of committing those offences because of his age at the time. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report