Three men jailed for raping teenage girl

A warning that this story contains information which some readers may find upsetting.

Three men have been jailed today (5 December) for a collective total of more than 46 years after raping a teenage girl.

James Marcus Doherty, Graham Peter Skillicorn and Steven John Cannon were told they’d behaved like ‘a pack of animals’ as they were sentenced at Douglas Courthouse.

They’d denied raping the 18-year-old during the ‘sustained incident’, at a property in Douglas on 25 June 2022, but were found guilty after trial.

In a victim impact statement, which was read to the court, the now 20-year-old said her life had ‘changed forever’ after going on a night out and meeting up with the defendants.

"These horrible men made me feel my life was worthless," she added: "I hope that no other girl or woman has to go through the pain that I have."

The court heard the victim had been particularly vulnerable at the time she was targeted as she was not able to consent and did not know fully what was happening due to the alcohol and drugs she'd consumed. 

Deemster Graeme Cook noted she'd suffered psychological harm as a result of what had happened and referenced the ‘gross disparity’ in the differences in age between her and her attackers. 

Addressing the men in the dock Deemster Graeme Cook told them none of them had accepted their offending adding: “You are the liars. She was telling the truth.

“You behaved like a pack of animals. You were treating her like a piece of meat.”

Jailing Doherty, who is 41-years-old, for 16 years Deemster Cook described his behaviour as ‘disgusting’ adding: “He still, to this day, cannot accept he’s done anything wrong.”

Skillicorn, who is 65-years-old, was jailed for 14 years and six months and Cannon, who is 45-years-old, received 15 years and nine months.

All three men have been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life; restraining orders were also imposed.

Addressing the victim Deemster Cook added: “You are not a liar. There are only three people who are liars.

“What a courageous young woman you were and are.”

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this story there are details of local organisations that provide advice and support HERE.