Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Accused ‘dragged teenage boy into bushes & raped him’
Court told alleged victim thought he would die
A TEENAGER who claimed he was dragged into bushes and raped told police he believed he was going to be killed, a jury heard yesterday.
Gerard Scannell is accused of sexually assaulting the 16-year old in the early hours of July 16, 2016.
Scannell, 40, who is from Ballymurphy Road, West Belfast, but living at an another undisclosed address in the city, is accused of three counts of rape and of sexual assault. He denies the charges.
Prosecutor Jackie Orr told the Belfast Crown Court jury when they had heard all the evidence, they would be satisfied Scannell was guilty.
The jury heard the teenager had been drinking with friends and was walking alone along Norglen Parade in the early hours when he first became aware of an older man standing on the street.
The prosecutor said he entered Falls Park via a gate and became aware the man was following him. As he walked along the pathway, he was “trailed back” and “dragged backwards” into bushes.
It is here, the teenager claimed, that the older man took his own top off, then subjected him to sexual assaults. He later told police: “I thought I was going to be killed, instead of what did happen.”
He also told police his ordeal ended when the assailant pushed his head which sent him “flying back” – and he was able to flee.
The teenager ran to a relative’s house, but couldn’t tell them what happened immediately as he “couldn’t get the words out... I was crying”. Ms Orr said several items were recovered from the bushes and forensically examined.
She also said when Scannell’s home was searched, clothes matching the description given by the teenager of what his attacker wore were located.
When he was arrested the accused consistently denied having any knowledge of or contact with the teenager.
The trial continues.
BELFAST CROWN COURT YESTERDAY