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Update: Teens who raped disabled woman sentenced
7:14am Wednesday 10th October 2007
Comments (72)Three teenagers who raped a disabled woman in an alley were jailed today.
Ashley Mitchell, 19, Kersley McDermott, 18, and 17-year-old Curtis Clinton were found guilty of pushing the middle-aged woman, who suffers from MS, into the alley in Upton Road, Thornton Heath, last month.
Both Mitchell and McDermott then forced her to perform a sex act while Clinton kept watch.
At Croydon Crown Court this morning Mitchell and McDermott, who had tears in his eyes as he stood in the dock, were sentenced to five years in a young offenders' institution.
Clinton was given three years in a young offenders' institution.
All three will also be on placed on the sex offenders' register.
Sentencing the three, Judge Stephen Waller said: "The victim had gone out in the evening to the local shops to get some cigarettes and you were hanging around with nothing much to do.
"It's clear from the evidence that you believed she was under the influence of alcohol and drugs. However, she looked unbalanced in her walking and had trouble processing her speech because of her MS.
"You did not know that and took advantage of the situation and pushed her into a deserted alleyway where Mitchell and McDermott raped her. Clinton stood back and acted as look out.
"After this you helped yourself to her handbag Mitchell, but upon finding nothing but personal items threw it away."
The defendants ages and lack of previous convictions were taken into account by Judge Waller, who felt they did not pose a serious threat to the public.
"I treat you each of good character but the offences of which you have been convicted are serious.
"For me to impose the maximum sentence though I must consider you a significant risk of serious harm to the public, and I have come to the conclusion that you are not.
"However, in each case a custodial sentence is appropriate and it must be a significant."
Mitchell, who lives in Upton Road, had the 328 days he has already spent in custody since his arrest last year included in his sentence.
Clinton, also from Upton Road, and McDermott, who lives in Gouldon House, Bullen Street, Battersea, had the 34 days spent in custody since their conviction included in their sentences.
Judge Waller also paid tribute to the investigating officers in the case, Detective Sergeant Mike Wetheridge and Detective Constable Simone O'Neill.
He said: "I would like to commend these officers for the work that went into this case in the interest of public safety."
Your Say YourCroydon Guardian
Bob, Cheam says...
12:25pm Wed 10 Oct 07
ralph, harrow says...
1:54pm Wed 10 Oct 07
This country is becoming an embarrassment!
This government is not protecting us at all.
Ray, warlingham says...
3:30pm Wed 10 Oct 07
Tigs, says...
3:50pm Wed 10 Oct 07
D, Coulsdon says...
4:57pm Wed 10 Oct 07
Kayleigh, Purley says...
5:00pm Wed 10 Oct 07
Someone needs to put their heads in a toilet.
THEY SHOULD ALL ROT IN PRISON !!!!!!!
VJ, says...
6:14pm Wed 10 Oct 07
John, Sutton says...
7:05pm Wed 10 Oct 07
It should be made hell on earth. That would help bring the crime rate down.
Ann, aberdeen says...
11:12pm Wed 10 Oct 07
Expat, says...
6:12am Thu 11 Oct 07
RG, Surrey says...
8:38am Thu 11 Oct 07
SL, Upper Norwood says...
10:32am Thu 11 Oct 07
filthy pieces of s**t.
bunch of welfare cheques.
Neet, Croydon says...
10:57am Thu 11 Oct 07
I cant wait to get out this twisted country!!!!!!
Dirty chavy pervs!
Bob Peel, Croydon says...
11:17am Thu 11 Oct 07
This scum should have been slowly castrated with an engineers vice as the tool of choice.
Now watch what happens:
Won't be long before they are out over a technicality, huge sums of compensation paid to each and the victim is banged up instead because she placed herself at their mercy by asking for a cigarette.
George, Scottish Borders says...
11:38am Thu 11 Oct 07
This namby pamby legal system is a laughing stock. Bring back the cat o' nine tails and lay it on these dregs of humanity six times a day!
Tigs, says...
11:43am Thu 11 Oct 07
Their mothers must be so proud of the way they brought them up and how they turned up. Were they on heavy drugs at the time?
KHAN, west london says...
7:00pm Thu 11 Oct 07
Charlotte, Thornton Heath says...
8:56pm Thu 11 Oct 07
Shane, London says...
9:29pm Thu 11 Oct 07
http://news.bbc.co.u
k/1/hi/northern_irel
and/7040198.stm
Gmart, Selsdon says...
10:40pm Thu 11 Oct 07
Mark, says...
12:37am Fri 12 Oct 07
paula, london says...
10:39am Fri 12 Oct 07
sarah, london says...
10:44am Fri 12 Oct 07
dave, london says...
1:38pm Fri 12 Oct 07
CARLING, london says...
3:52pm Fri 12 Oct 07
dave wrote:Errrr Dave............. what part of if you dont know the full story you dont know nothing! do you not under stand?
paula,sarah,carling: so what part of gang rape and theft do you find acceptable?
sarah, london says...
4:14pm Fri 12 Oct 07
Jock, London says...
5:37pm Fri 12 Oct 07
sarah wrote:Take some lessons in spelling and grammar, before embarking on a rant. You make yourself sound like an uneducated moron.
well, you all think that you know what is right and wrong. but you think that you think that everything that you read in the newspaper is true don't you. well your all a bunch of gulable people who need to recognise the world.
If it were up to me, I'd send the three to jail for life.
Lisa, Croydon says...
6:27pm Fri 12 Oct 07
ANGEL, london says...
6:55pm Fri 12 Oct 07
PAULA, london says...
9:45pm Fri 12 Oct 07
Peter, Brum says...
12:14am Sat 13 Oct 07
paula, london says...
2:49pm Sat 13 Oct 07
suzyn, essex says...
6:44pm Sat 13 Oct 07
you should be ashamed of yourselves for defending 3 sick perverts.
MS is bad enough without bias people defending them as they were innocent & the victim is in anyway responsible.
DNA proved they were guilty.
perhaps you & these 3 animals do not understand the burden of proof now available to the Courts.
it makes wrongful convictions extremely unlikely!
why does no-one or those around them, just accept their punishment?
Jock, London says...
6:53pm Sat 13 Oct 07
paula wrote:You really are another shining example of the failure that Britain has become.
jock dont cos sarah you piece of **** and for you sam im not scummy friends of them im one of there auntie thank you very much and yes you dont no the whole story so **** of the whole lot of you with little minds
Oh, and I don't really speak chav, so let's have it in English next time please.
Carling, London says...
8:05pm Sat 13 Oct 07
Lisa wrote:Yes Lisa the husband did testify in the defendants case but was not allowed to state his whole story as it would of made the victim out to be a bad character which is not allow within the courts of law.
Maybe it is true that they were innocent as some innocent people are wrongly convicted and maybe they arent innocent. If the husband of the victim says she is a whore, why did he not testify this in court? Girls, before u come with an argument, try giving an educated one. Im not even trying to be rude, I am just pointing out the fact that you make yourselves sounds very stupid and if you want people to take you seriously you dont come off with rants like that!
People of course have their own opinions which can be expressed freely but it is upsetting as to what people think after they are just getting one side of the story.
As I have previously said and I quote if you dont know the full story you dont know nothing! its a twisted story which should have been looked at more deeply but of course justice has it way and now the families have to suffer.
Hebs, London says...
8:18pm Sat 13 Oct 07
emma, Melb says...
2:55am Mon 15 Oct 07
However the fact remains, those men were found guilty by a jury for the henious crime of rape on a weak woman.
IF (and it's a long shot) IF the act commited was consentual those men should never have taken advantage of that woman, if they come from such good loving supporting family that include FATHERS YES FATHERS! then they should have the moral understanding that what they did was so wrong they deserve to be locked up.
Sal ibn Hari, thornton heath says...
8:52am Mon 15 Oct 07
dave, london says...
9:03am Mon 15 Oct 07
CARLING wrote:You still didn't answer the question, they were found guilty of rape by a jury of their peers -that is fact. So, to repeat, what part of gang rape do you find acceptable?
dave wrote:Errrr Dave............. what part of if you dont know the full story you dont know nothing! do you not under stand?
paula,sarah,carling: so what part of gang rape and theft do you find acceptable?
dave, london says...
9:12am Mon 15 Oct 07
sarah wrote:I can safely assume from your poor use of the english language that I've had a job for far longer than you have, or ever will have.
dave your a beg go get a job
Bob Peel, Croydon says...
10:19am Mon 15 Oct 07
paula wrote:Thank you for sharing this most important piece of familial information.
jock dont cos sarah you piece of **** and for you sam im not scummy friends of them im one of there auntie thank you very much and yes you dont no the whole story so **** of the whole lot of you with little minds
I think the entire board can now see what the problem with these youths really is.
"Don't know the whole story?" Well share it will you because there is no defence to rape, especially where the victim suffers from Mental Health problems.
paula, london says...
7:39pm Thu 18 Oct 07
Sarah, Croydon says...
2:32pm Fri 19 Oct 07
paula wrote:I didnt realise that just by watching a rape or acting as lookout meant you were a nice person who deserves no punishment! Paula - get a grip! They had non-consentual sex with a woman - regardless of her age/race/previous sexual experience/health/me
yes bob builder im am proud of my nephew thats why i wrote it and if you was to read the story it tells you he didnt take no part in it
natl ability & any other reason you coul dmention...IT was NON-Consentual. ie: RAPE! & to be brutally honest, Your nephew would be the worst offender in my eyes. He let them do it - he watched & stood by. My commendations to your family on your excellent parenting skills! (thats Sarcasm!) Shame on you all!
Ms Slim, FP says...
10:41pm Tue 23 Oct 07
I GOT NO SHAME!!!
ELLO: To all including Carling baby I love U... Antie L
I am a family member... Who knows what went on from the begining... Let me just state a few simple tings...
KERSLEYS MOTHER IN NO WAY SUPPORTS OR CONDONES WHAT HER SON HAS DONE, DOES NOT COLLECT BENEFIT, AND HAS ALWAYS TRIED TO GIVE HER SON AS MUCH SUPPORT AND POSITIVE ENCOURANGEMENT AS HE WOULD ALLOW.
FURTHER TO THIS I MIGHT ADD HE WAS LIVING .. VIA HIS CHOICE WITH HIS GRANDPARENTS ON HIS FATHERS SIDE SINCE 2003.
CURTIS: SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THERE... BUT KNOW'S THAT SOMETIMES DOING NOTHING AT ALL IS JUST AS BAD... BUT I DEFY ANYONE WHO WILL TELL ME HE HAS THE SAME SEXUAL MINDSET AS THE OTHER 2 OFFENDERS.. HE'S A GOOD BOY THAT WAS CAUGHT IN A BAD SITUATION... MUCH LUV... I'M COMIN SOON B...
1) 3 Men steered, what they thought, was an easy prey, into an area where it became a case of 3 v 1. Fact
2) 2 of them had no intentions oF singing church songs with her. One stayed due to loyalty of his cousin more than any other reason... ( we all know this bond can be strong and lead to wrong decisions being made)... ie should i stay or should i go.
2) Curtis had no intenions of "having a go"
3) one started to have his go, then the other "took" his go... left evidence behind.
4) then the first one took his time having a second go, until he realised he was never gonna come....
5) then they left.... Now they know what they did was wrong deep down... and those that will try to defend it in anyway, must understand it was a matter of mind set.. NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO PUT ANYONE IN A POSITION WHERE THEY FEEL THEY HAVE TO AGREE... STILL RAPE
NO ONE SHOULD FEEL THAY HAVE GIVEN PERMISSION TO BE RAPED EVEN IF THEY ARE INTOXICATED....
AND IF THESE GUYS WENT INTO A TOILET, AND FOUND THEMSELVES SURROUND BY 3 BIG MAN, ASKING THEM POLITLY TO SUCK ON THEIR LOINS, I WONDER HOW THEY WOULD FEEL...
GOD FORBID IT IS EVER ONE OF THEIR SISTERS WHO IS THE VICTIM NEXT TIME... WOULD THE VIEW BE THE SAME HONESTLY...
TRUTH IS... MINDSET GOT OUT OF HAND, AND THEY GOT CAUGHT. NEXT TIME THEY'LL MAKE SURE IT'S A 1 ON 1 ENCOUNTER, AND THAT THEY HAVE WITNESSES TO THE CONSENT.... LOL SORRY BUT HEY A TRU MAN.
AND AS FOR KERSLYS GIRL.... PLEEEEEEEEASE... DONT MEK ME LAUGH... UR A MUG MATE... U IS HIS FIRST G/FRIEND AND U COME TO SUPPORT NOW!! UR FUNNY... LOL LOL LOL BOUT' LOVE... LOVE URSELF DONT BE NO RAPISTS GIRL... AVE PRIDE .
dave, london says...
9:13am Wed 24 Oct 07
Well they've just been banged up, why don't you ask them when you get your next v.o. as they will surely have found out by then.
I find it extremely satisfying that 3 rapists will all to soon find out what it's like to be raped, and their "bad boy street crim" attitude will only excite their new friends further.
Enjoy lads -you've earned it.
DONT BELIVE THE HYPE, DONT BELIVE THE HYPE says...
1:43am Fri 26 Oct 07
Ms Slim, fp says...
11:31pm Fri 26 Oct 07
And then if u choose to have a one night stand with someone you feel, presume or know to be drunk... It is still Rape... because any concent that was given while u thought they were under the influence.... if u decided to the take advantage of this and see it as an easy lay... It Is still rape... because u knew or thought the person to be drunk...
but what you have said just show's the mind set of men today... If they assume your a SLAG.... they must have a go on u like one.... and tell me.. is this what u guys do on a regular... 3 man 1 slag equals take it any way u can get it...
Lord what is this world coming to....
Besides, if they really wanted a slag, they would have choosen one, they chose an easy target that doesnt even reside here.... THAT SMELL'S LIKE KAKA TALK..
because they know if it had been an english or local girl, they'd be dead by now, and everyone would b talking differently... imagine they were so desperate, and soooo lonely that they had to search for what they should be able to get for free, and had such high standards, they they targeted what they thought was the nastiest woman on the road.... lol lol lol
anyone on that level, cant have no self-esteem, let alone self respect to think they have the right to take advantage of another human being, and then... turn around and blame the victim for allowing them to do it....
Dont u guys have no lines u dont cross... dammm seriously... U men are giving ur power's and freedom of choices away by really believing u can behave any way u like... take what u want and work for nothing.... Long gone is the Black man who repects women.... so long gone are the days thats women are prepare to lie down and take it...
CARLING, West Norwood says...
2:54pm Mon 29 Oct 07
Dave: My god it seems to me that you dont have anything better to do with your life. Cause you seem to IF YOU DONT KNOW THE WHOLE STORY YOU DONT KNOW NOTHING!! think that you know so well about whats going on as I have to keep saying to you and let me write it big and bold for you so hopefully it gets thorough to u this time when you reading it.
Dont believe the hype: You know full well what went on. Dont waste your time entertaining small mined people dat dont know what happened properly. We all know what the boys are like, we just have to deal with it now but never ashamed. I can understand what your tryin to say in your comment but other people will look at da differently you get me. But send out love to Ashley fam hope his cool their be out before we know it we just gots to support them.
Auntie L: Your too much lol I know what your saying if people was know how you was theyll get you but hey not everybody can be bless to have you apart of their life.
CARLING, West Norwood says...
2:58pm Mon 29 Oct 07
Wow people still have time to come on here and comment.
Dave: My god it seems to me that you dont have anything better to do with your life. Cause you seem to think that you know so well about whats going on as I have to keep saying to you and let me write it big and bold for you so hopefully it gets thorough to u this time when you reading it.
IF YOU DONT KNOW THE WHOLE STORY YOU DONT KNOW NOTHING!!
Dont believe the hype: You know full well what went on. Dont waste your time entertaining small mined people dat dont know what happened properly. We all know what the boys are like, we just have to deal with it now but never ashamed. I can understand what your tryin to say in your comment but other people will look at da differently you get me. But send out love to Ashley fam hope his cool their be out before we know it we just gots to support them.
Auntie L: Your too much lol I know what your saying if people was know how you was theyll get you but hey not everybody can be bless to have you apart of their life.
dave, london says...
11:42am Tue 30 Oct 07
Personal insults will not change my opinion of your rapist friends.
They had non-consensual sex with a disabled woman and then stole her purse/handbag.
I fail to see how anyone with at least 2 brain cells to rub together can find that anything but unacceptable.
I would suggest to you that your misplaced loyalty toward these cowardly rapists would indicate that it is infact you that DON'T NO NUFFINK!
I'm sure you'll understand.
CARLING, West Norwood says...
2:30pm Tue 30 Oct 07
dave wrote:Dave really I dont give a **** about your opinion as Ive said before everybody is entitled to express their opinion. But I am just stating the facts you dont know the whole story but you seem to think you do. Because youve read a news paper article. What were you there? Huh how clever are you? Yes what is being said is not acceptable and im not saying it is.
Carling: Personal insults will not change my opinion of your rapist friends. They had non-consensual sex with a disabled woman and then stole her purse/handbag. I fail to see how anyone with at least 2 brain cells to rub together can find that anything but unacceptable. I would suggest to you that your misplaced loyalty toward these cowardly rapists would indicate that it is infact you that DON\'T NO NUFFINK! I\'m sure you\'ll understand.
It just shows what sort of intelligent you obviously dont have you seems to me like a small mind person that seems to think everything you read in the news paper is true. So maybe you need to rub what brain cells you have together and look at things in a bigger picture. The story is far more deeper then what your reading.
I'm sure you'll understand.
Further to this im not going to bother comment again as I have better thing to do with life unlike some. DAVE GET OFF THE NET LOL.
And im glad that you take so much of your time to be bothered about MY RAPIST FRIENDS WHICH I STATE THAT IM GRATFUL TO HAVE PART OF MY LIFE MISS U LOT SO MUCH!! Thank you I let them no all about you!
dave, london says...
11:47am Wed 31 Oct 07
woooooh! scared! what are they going to do? rape me down a dark alley? oh, I forgot, they can only attack defenseless women.
"Further to this im not going to bother comment "
You're as wimpy as your criminal friends.
shirley, Sout east London says...
9:10pm Sat 3 Nov 07
shirley, South East London says...
9:18pm Sat 3 Nov 07
fingerpointer, says...
11:20pm Fri 9 Nov 07
As for this don't know the full/real story..thats what the court is for - to find the facts. If you had anything to say why didn't you say then. Its all mouth to bleat on now that the full story hasn't been told.The sentences were pathetic, your rapists will be home soon, keep those teeth clean now.
Gus, says...
1:26am Sat 10 Nov 07
Not guilty emm its funny how often that happens.
Clem, Dudley says...
10:15am Sat 10 Nov 07
Derek, South Yorkshire says...
11:01am Sat 10 Nov 07
Derek, South Yorkshire says...
1:23pm Sat 10 Nov 07
Clem wrote:Quite possibly how they were conceived
Do these creatures ever rape their own kind???
jaymmy, UK says...
11:36pm Sat 10 Nov 07
Richard, UK says...
9:01am Sun 11 Nov 07
The "Chav Family" posts are totally predictable, He's a good boy etc.
He's a convicted rapist, stop defending filth and be grateful it is not yet legal to shoot people such as this.
Loki, UK says...
9:09am Sun 11 Nov 07
june, north london says...
10:11am Tue 13 Nov 07
disgusted, says...
10:19am Wed 14 Nov 07
ANGEL, South London says...
2:40am Fri 30 Nov 07
jason mcdermott, battersea says...
6:44pm Mon 7 Jan 08
dave wrote:ive just read all of the comments about a story hardly anyone knows anything about.my nephew is in jail for a crime he did not commit,my nephew has years taken away from his life for something which has been twisted to accomadate the so called victim.the law is there to defend everyone so the truth can be told,defendants and prosecutors alike.the victims background,husbands full testimony should have been given so the jury have a clear view of what actually happened,this and many things did not come to light for what ever reason.kersley's only msitake was not to be more knowledgable or mature enough to know what the risks were and how things can end up and that this victim is white and if this situation were to arise,being a young black person in this day an age with all the crime at the moment,he would'nt stand a chance.i can understand people's disgust but what if you discovered he were innocent,i only hope you reserve your disgust for the victim?as for growing up with his nan,how many mothers would allow that,so that should draw you a picture of his mother.she's abandoned him when he needs her the most.no kersley's never been perfect,he has'nt had a perfect life,but he is innocent and will suffer a punishment which is indiscribable for one who is innocent.im proud he faces it like a man and will always love him and be there for him.shame on those family members who are not,your the one's that truly disgust me.
paula,sarah,carling: so what part of gang rape and theft do you find acceptable?
jay, battersea says...
2:04am Tue 8 Jan 08
jason mcdermott wrote:incase this whole unfortunate incident has happened exactly as reported,i hope for the speedy recovery of the victm and justice was done and if it was'nt how things happened.god be with my nephew.
dave wrote: paula,sarah,carling: so what part of gang rape and theft do you find acceptable?ive just read all of the comments about a story hardly anyone knows anything about.my nephew is in jail for a crime he did not commit,my nephew has years taken away from his life for something which has been twisted to accomadate the so called victim.the law is there to defend everyone so the truth can be told,defendants and prosecutors alike.the victims background,husbands full testimony should have been given so the jury have a clear view of what actually happened,this and many things did not come to light for what ever reason.kersley\\\'s only msitake was not to be more knowledgable or mature enough to know what the risks were and how things can end up and that this victim is white and if this situation were to arise,being a young black person in this day an age with all the crime at the moment,he would\\\'nt stand a chance.i can understand people\\\'s disgust but what if you discovered he were innocent,i only hope you reserve your disgust for the victim?as for growing up with his nan,how many mothers would allow that,so that should draw you a picture of his mother.she\\\'s abandoned him when he needs her the most.no kersley\\\'s never been perfect,he has\\\'nt had a perfect life,but he is innocent and will suffer a punishment which is indiscribable for one who is innocent.im proud he faces it like a man and will always love him and be there for him.shame on those family members who are not,your the one\\\'s that truly disgust me.
Clarice, London says...
12:12am Sat 8 Mar 08
Relatives never want to believe one of their own would ever commit such a crime, but the simple fact is, most people do not really know their teenage children and peer pressure is stronger than any parent's will.
There really is no hope for England anymore.
john, london says...
5:10pm Thu 13 Mar 08
Che, Surrey says...
11:40am Sat 12 Apr 08
Kersley I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU LOTS,AND AM HERE FOR YOU 1000%
Dont worry what goes around comes around,and that women will get whats coming to her one day.
kai, says...
6:27pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Sentenced: (l-r) Ashley Mitchell, Kersley McDermott, Curtis Clinton
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Karl Chads, says...
10:50am Wed 10 Oct 07