08/06/2004

Rapist jailed for ten years

A man has been jailed for 10 years today after being found guilty of raping a woman in the grounds of a Belfast golf course earlier this year.

Craig Morgan, 22, from Malton Drive, Taughmonagh, was found guilty of raping the 19-year-old student on the grounds of Balmoral golf club on April 22.

He was also sentenced to three years for falsely imprisoning his victim during the attack which took place at around 2.30am, shortly after the woman had left a rave at Belfast's Kings Hall.

Appearing at a sitting of Belfast Crown Court in Dungannon on Tuesday, Morgan was described by Judge McFarland as "a person who finds it easy to inflict physical and sexual violence on others".

As he was being led away from the dock, the accused, who was wearing a Glasgow Rangers shirt and tracksuit, was seen smiling and waving at his victim.

Morgan, who has a previous conviction for inflicting grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon, has been placed on the sex offenders list for life.

(MB)

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