Three Men Receive Prison Sentences for Teenage Girl’s Gang Rape

Sentences have been imposed on three men convicted of the gang rape of a teenager, which occurred in a flat after she encountered them at a house party. James Doherty, 41, Steven Cannon, 45, and Graham Skillicorn, 65, assaulted the then 18-year-old in June 2022 at Mr. Skillicorn’s residence in Douglas. At a proceeding held at Douglas Courthouse, Doherty received a sentence of 16 years in prison, Cannon was incarcerated for 15 years and nine months, and Skillicorn for 14 years and two months. Deemster Graeme Cook commented that the individuals had “behaved like a pack of animals” throughout the “sustained attack.” Each of the three men was added to the sex offenders register permanently and received restraining orders prohibiting any contact with the victim. Testimony presented in court indicated that the victim had encountered the men at a house party at a different location before Doherty transported them to Skillicorn’s apartment in Anagh Coar, notwithstanding his driving disqualification. The victim was subsequently raped by all three individuals in the early morning hours of 25 June 2022. Evidence presented to the court revealed that Doherty had commenced the assault, with Cannon and Skillicorn subsequently participating in the “sustained incident,” which was documented. Despite their denials of the charges, the men were convicted after a trial held at Douglas Courthouse earlier in the current year. A statement read aloud in court from the victim conveyed that the three “vile men” had deprived her of her innocence. Since the assault, she had experienced panic attacks and nightmares involving sleep paralysis, leading to a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. Deemster Cook commended the victim’s “bravery” throughout the police inquiry and legal proceedings, characterizing her as “a courageous young woman.” Doherty was ejected from the courtroom during the sentencing session due to persistent interruptions of the proceedings. The deemster characterized his conduct as “nothing short of disgusting,” indicating that “he still cannot accept he has done anything wrong.” Doherty, possessing a record of 41 prior convictions for 110 offences, also received sentences for distinct driving infractions and a charge of wounding, stemming from an earlier incident where he instructed his Staffordshire bull terrier to attack a police officer. Readers are invited to follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X, and to submit story suggestions to IsleofMan@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.