Predatory school caretaker’s four word response when confronted by wife

A school caretaker is facing jail after he raped a schoolgirl and sexually assaulted another. The girls, who can not be named for legal reasons, spoke of their trauma after being abused by Mark Neary, 55, when they were 12 and 13 years old. Neary told the younger girl he would kill himself if she told anyone what he had done to her, Preston Crown Court heard.

When the older girl told her mum and the police were called, Neary told his wife: "It was an accident", LancsLive reports.[1] During a video interview, the 12-year-old told the police Neary worked as a cleaner at her school when he raped her in the toilets. On a second occasion he raped her in a car and a third time at a house.

He also sexually assaulted her on three occasions, she said. Try MEN Premium now with our amazing New Year offer... just click here[2] to give it a try. Peter Barr, prosecuting, told the court: "She said the defendant asked repeatedly to commit further sexual offences against her but she kept saying no, so he gave up."

In a victim statement, the girl said: "I am struggling to sleep. I stay up till the early hours of the morning, thinking and reflecting on what happened to me. I hear voices when I am trying to sleep, that keep me awake.

I have daily emotional breakdowns, due to the sexual assault and rape." The girl said she had given up on hobbies she had previously enjoyed, and her attendance at school had declined. The second girl, who was 13 when Neary molested her in a car, said following the attack, Neary said: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have done that. Are you okay?"

The girl told him she was fine and did not want to talk about it - but later told her mum about the attack. She said: "My moods change regularly and I am not sleeping.

This has had an impact on my school life. I don't sleep because I often think about the assault - mainly at night. I replay the incident in my head and I can't concentrate.

"I get really angry at what he did to me and I struggle to understand my emotions. " She said she now suffers from panic attacks and has fallen out with friends as she worries they are talking about her. "This is having a massive impact on my education and I don't want to go to school any more", she added. "I may struggle to form relationships and trust people again and that is something that really worries me."

Where to go if you've been affected by rape or sexual assault

- Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live, or have been sexually assaulted, within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages.

Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515. - Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected][3][4]

- We Are Survivors[5] provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182 for help. - Always call 999 in an emergency

Neary, of Trough Road, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to three counts of rape of a child under 13 and four counts of sexual assault. When interviewed by the police he gave no comment, the court heard. Defending, Kristian Cavanagh, said Neary was remorseful about what he had done, and his family were at a loss to understand why the person they knew could commit these "abhorrent" offences.

He handed letters from Neary's wife and another woman, who outlined why they were standing by him.

Recorder Daniel Prowse will sentence Neary at Preston Crown Court on Friday January 5.

Mr Cavanagh said his client understands he will be going to prison.

References

1. ^ LancsLive reports. (www.lancs.live)
2. ^ click here (manchester.page.link)
3. ^ Greater Manchester Rape Crisis (wwww.manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk)
4. ^ [email protected] (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
5. ^ We Are Survivors (www.survivorsmanchester.org.uk)