A teenage girl has told of her trauma after her alleged rapist was able to avoid justice under government-backed rules that give offenders an alternative to prosecution. Kaitlyn Ward was just 14 when she was attacked near a golf club by the 16-year-old, who she did not know, and immediately reported it to police, enduring a full sexual assault examination and questioning by detectives.
But despite substantial evidence, Crown prosecutors enacted “diversion from prosecution” rules that allowed him to avoid a trial and possible criminal conviction. Kaitlyn, now 17, has waived her right to anonymity - with the support of her parents - demanding the rules are never used again for rape cases.
She said: “This has left me feeling like there isn’t a justice system at all. It was a complete kick in the teeth and made me think if a crime is going to happen to me again is there any point in reporting it?
