The full details of the case were heard at Dungannon Crown Court
A CONVICTED rapist who was jailed for just over three years for the ‘horrendous’ sex attack on a Fermanagh woman last year could be out in just 18 months.
The sentencing has sparked outrage from a rape and sexual abuse support group who say the “scandalous” jail term does not reflect the severity of the crime.
60-year-old Robert Samuel Morton admitting raping and threatening to tie up the woman after he offered her a lift to work on August 21 last year.
Morton subjected the woman, who is in her 50s and cannot be named, to a terrifying ordeal when he stopped his van at a forest near Tempo.
The woman tried to escape but she was forced to engage in a sexual act after he threatened to tie her up. The sexually explicit details of the horrific attack on the woman were heard in Dungannon Crown Court last Thursday.
Morton, who is from Bayview Close in Tamlaght but was living at an address in Olympia Drive, south Belfast, stood in the dock flanked by one security officer while his son and daughter watched on from the public gallery.
He was convicted of one count of oral rape and one count of sexual touching and was handed a custodial sentence of three years and three months and will be on licence for a further three years and three months when he is released.
But Helena Bracken, who is Fermanagh regional manager of the rape and sexual abuse support service Nexus NI, said that rape sentences should have a higher penalty.
Under the current sentencing guidelines, this type of rape could carry a prison sentence between six to 11 years. However, Morton will be eligible to apply for an early release half way through his custodial sentence of three years and three months.
Speaking about Morton’s jail term, Ms Bracken said: “It’s absolutely scandalous and a real shame. I don’t think it reflects the severity of that crime.
“I would appeal to judges to stick to the guidelines and put out higher penalties and that will act as a deterrent.
“Three years or 18 months? What does that say. The punishment must fit the crime. It needs a really heavy penalty.
“We are talking about people who have been abused and I am sure it is very offensive to them.
“We need to focus on the survivor because they are the ones who have been hurt and damaged.
“My thoughts are with that woman who has endured the most horrendous ordeal she will have to live with for the rest of her life. She will never be free from this and I would urge her to seek support and counselling.”
It emerged during court that Morton was wearing latex gloves when his victim got in the car, but took them off when they came to a police checkpoint.
He then turned the van off the road at the forest and he tried to kiss her on the mouth. Morton told her she would not get pregnant at her age and then said: “I may have to tie you up.”
Her screams for help attracted the attention of a neighbour who came to investigate and Morton ordered her not to tell anyone.
The case was resided by Dungannon Crown Court Judge McReynolds who said the attack had a significant effect on the victim.
Judge McReynolds added that the pair were unknown to each other which was unusual in a rape trial.
An psychiatric assessment of Morton found that his intelligence was below average but he did not suffer from a mental impairment.
Psychiatrist Dr Brown established that Morton had a medium risk of reoffending and did not meet criteria of posing significant and serious harm.
It was recommended that Morton should be enrolled in a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO).
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