A notorious serial rapist has escaped prosecution in the High Court after succesfully claiming the alleged victim, a Mr. Joe Public was in fact the guilty party and had actually ' been asking for it for years'
The rapist, who can not be named for legal reasons (simply refered to throughout the trial as Credit) admitted to having had a long running affair with Public but denied he had failed to point out the potential dangers involved in entering into a relationship with him.
Public, who is dysfunctional and suffers from learning difficulties, told the court he had been subject to prolonged and persistent demands from Credit over a period of months. The demands, although seemingly reasonable to start with had started within days of taking him out but had steadily grown to intolerable measures.
At first Public had got on well with Credit and was able to satisfy his demands, but eventually the relationship turned sour and although Public tried to get rid of him, Credit's interest in the affair simply grew and grew.
The court agreed that, although Public may have underestimated the demands Credit would impose on him (Public), he had been more than willing to 'go down the garden path with him' and should expect to shoulder some of the responsibility regarding the final outcome once they got there.
Public, who was clearly carrying a heavy burden when he entered court, has denied the two had been 'in bed together from the start' and had only ever been looking for a good time and not a full committment but admitted he hadn't fully appreciated the consequences of his actions in encouraging Credit's advances.
'Getting Credit had been easy' Public told the court, 'but it was a nightmare trying to get rid of him.
He would send me letters every month, to start with they were quite friendly. But eventually things turned nasty and he said he would be taking me to court if I didn't satisfy his demands. I didn't know which way to turn.
I know I'm not alone, there are plenty of others who have suffered at the hands of Credit but they are too ashamed to come forward.
He must be stopped somehow'.
There are already growing fears that having escaped any sort of control regulation and with Public's short term memory disorder, it is only a matter of time before Credit will be free to strike again.