Child rapist faces life in prison

9:07am Wednesday 12th September 2007

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A Pembroke Dock man convicted of raping or indecently assaulting five different young girls has been jailed for 16 years and told he may never be released.

David Hanratty, aged 39, was legally defined as a danger to young children by a judge at Swansea crown court.

Judge Gerald Price said Hanratty would not be released until the parole board was satisfied he was no longer a danger. That may never be the case, he warned.

Hanratty, formerly of Vetch Close, Pembroke, but now living in a flat in Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, had denied all the allegations, but was convicted of eight rapes and 14 indecency offences after a trial.

Hanratty appeared at Swansea crown court for sentencing on Friday. His barrister, Dyfed Thomas, immediately applied for an adjournment as he had become aware that a probation report on Hanratty, had deemed him to be a continuing danger to children.

Mr Thomas said the definition exposed Hanratty to a sentence of indeterminate length and the defence wished to obtain a psychiatric report which might come to a different conclusion.

Judge Price said the defence was "clutching at straws". As Hanratty still refused to accept what he had done, there was little chance of a psychiatrist carrying out a proper assessment.

The jury had heard how Hanratty abused girls between the ages of eight and 15.

As the police closed in Hanratty, who once drove children to school for a living, took an overdose of tablets.

One of his victims wept in the witness box as she told a jury she was "disgusted" he had ever been allowed near children.

She said she even went to his employers to complain.

Judge Price told Hanratty he had indulged in "a campaign of rape".

"You are a highly dangerous man. The long term affect on these girls is impossible to assess.

"You give the impression of being a gentle person, but it is a facade."

Judge Price warned him that an effect of his ruling could be that Hanratty stayed in jail indefinitely.

Hanratty was also ordered to register with the police as a sex offender for life and banned from ever working with children.