Seven years jail for rapist councillor
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Ballymena councillor William Wilkinson: Told by trial judge his life was now in tatters
FORMER Ballymena councillor William Wilkinson's professional and personal life has been left "lying in tatters" since he was convicted last month of raping a woman in her own bed.
That was the view of trial judge, His Honour Geoffrey Millar QC as he sentenced the 33-year-old to seven years in jail at Antrim Crown Court last Wednesday (June 30).
Judge Millar said that, by his own actions, Wilkinson has "lost his reputation and livelihood".
The United Unionist Coalition Party member was convicted last month of the rape and attempted rape of the woman in August 21, 2008.
He has maintained his innocence throughout and is set to appeal the sentence.
He will now be automatically be barred from remaining a councillor and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. In addition he will be monitored for seven years after his release and is forbidden from having any future conduct, direct or indirect with the victim.
Wilkinson is also prevented from embarking on any other intimate relationship without disclosing his conviction.
During the week-long trial the jury heard how Wilkinson, of Tully Road in Portglenone, forced himself on the woman after the pair returned to her Coleraine home after a night out drinking.
The woman, who had been in a relationship with Wilkinson, told him that she was ill and didn't want to have sex.
Instead he raped her and attempted to rape her again while she tried to fight him off.
Before sentencing last week, Judge Millar heard from Reverend Albert Baxter, a family friend and minister at 1st Presbyterian Church, Portglenone, who said Wilkinson "consistently and adamantly maintains that he is not guilty of the charge".
Subscribe to read full newspaper »
Send to a friend
Please complete the following form to inform a friend about this page.
