The alleged victim at the centre of a rape trial against Councillor Daryll Pitcher has told a court that she had post-traumatic stress disorder because of the abuse she suffered.
The woman – who cannot be identified for legal reasons – said she has been left scarred for life by the incidents, which 46-year-old Pitcher is accused of.
The current Wootton councillor, of Norman Way, is said to have sexually assaulted her when they were both children.
Today marks the 2nd day of the anticipated 5-day trial against Daryll Pitcher at the Isle of Wight Crown Court, with a jury expected to come to a verdict by the end of the week.
Yesterday, Recorder Richard Onslow found Pitcher not guilty of the first charge against him — indecent assault on a girl under 14 years — as the prosecution presented no evidence. But a new indictment was put to the Councillor, charging him with 2 counts of rape between June 1990 and March 1992 and 1 of indecent assault of a girl under 13 years old, by having sexual intercourse between March and June 1990.
Mr Pitcher pleaded not guilty to the all 3 counts.
Nick Tucker, prosecuting, said in the years following the offences the victim did not understand what had gone on and it was only after having sex education classes at school did she realise it was wrong.
Mr Tucker said that initially the victim was reluctant to go to the police but, after counselling, she approached them.
On 2 occasions, it is alleged Mr Pitcher penetrated the victim with his penis.
In a video interview shown to the court, his victim said:
“I don’t know how it came about but I ended up on my back on the floor, He wasn’t holding me down.
“The first time he properly penetrated me, I didn’t know what he was doing with me. I can remember his stubble on my skin … I tried to get him off as it hurt.
“The second time … I remember the pain of him trying to penetrate me.
“You took my virginity from me and that is something that should not have happened.”
The trial continues.
