Gang-rape accused ‘think they did nothing wrong’ (From Haringey Independent)

Gang-rape accused ‘think they did nothing wrong’

3:04pm Friday 28th November 2008 in

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The prosecution in a gang-rape case called the defendants “arrogant young men” who believe they did nothing wrong, when summing up on Thursday.

The 16-year-old girl, who cannot be identified, was allegedly attacked at an empty house in Antill Road, Tottenham, by a gang of up to ten men on January 9. She was stripped naked before being forced to perform oral and vaginal sex against her wishes, it is claimed.

The gang covered her “head to toe” in caustic soda which burned through her flesh and was left “naked, screaming, crying and in a desperate state”, Rosina Cottage, prosecuting, told Wood Green Court.

She later slipped into a coma and spent months having reconstructive surgery and post-traumatic stress counselling.

As the seven-week trial draws to a close the prosecution and defence counsel are making their closing speeches before the jury considers its verdict.

Bruno Abrantes, 24, of Tottenham, no longer stands accused of GBH after Judge Lyons dismissed evidence given by a burns specialists who claimed burns on his leg matched those of the victim. Abrantes still denies rape.

Bradley Daley-Smith, 21, and Miguel Almeida, 22, both from Edmonton, Hector Muaimba, 20, from Walthamstow, Jason Brew, 18, and Rogel McMorris,18, both from Tottenham all deny rape charges.

McMorris, Daley-Smith, Brew and Muaimba, additionally deny causing grievous bodily harm.

Ms Cottage said: “These young men are arrogant and unashamed. Do you get the feeling that many of them felt they should not have been here? If they were all innocent that would be right, but the prosecution say they are not.

“You have seen them talking in the dock, some of them lolling around. At times making noises such as laughter even during the evidence of the victim.”

She added: “Unfortunately, it’s the age old story of a girl who has a number of sexual partners labelled as ‘dirty’.

“What had she done except to have sex with people who asked her to have sex with them? She thought it would make her popular.

“They are the ones with serious girlfriends — some with children.”

Three of the defendants, Abrantes, Almeida, and Muaimba chose not to take the stand during the trial.

Ms Cottage told the jury that McMorris, who she called the “central figure”, had thrown caustic soda on the victim because she had “disrespected” him by refusing to perform oral sex on him.

Rape charges were dropped against Opeyemi Ismeil, 20, of no fixed address, due to insufficient evidence.