Man admits raping a woman in a park for two hours on his wedding day

Derry McCann is going to prison for a 'very, very long time', judge says

Derry McCann, who has admitted to the 'terrifying, violent and prolonged' rape of a stranger hours before he was due to marry his pregnant partner (PA)

A groom has admitted to the “terrifying, violent and prolonged” rape of a stranger hours before he was due to marry his pregnant partner.

Predatory Derry McCann, 28, launched his horrific, two-hour assault as his victim was “within sight” of her front door in a London park on January 13.

He played “mind games” after dragging the woman into the undergrowth, taunting her by asking what she thought he would do next, Snaresbrook Crown Court was told.

Hours later, he tied the knot with his girlfriend, prosecutors said.

His conviction comes a decade after a teenage McCann was jailed for carrying out a prolonged rape attack, it is understood.

He was handed a life sentence in 2006 for the violent act, which was also committed in a London park.

The defendant, of Hackney, east London, fixed his eyes on the ground as he pleaded guilty to three counts of rape, one count of assault by penetration and one count of robbery.

Honorary Recorder Martyn Zeidman told the rapist he had carried out a “terrible” crime and faced a “very, very long time” in prison.

Kate Bex, prosecuting, told the court the defendant was “recently released” from prison, adding: “The oldest conviction on Mr McCann's record might also be of some relevance.”

McCann's “unusual” behaviour saw him also snatch the woman's mobile phone and bra, the court heard.

Ms Bex said: “It was about midnight, just a little after, and the victim was walking a short distance home having been out socialising with friends

“She was almost within sight of her own front door when she skirted round the side of the park on her usual route home.

“She avoided walking through the middle of it because that was too dangerous, she walked around the side, but unfortunately when near the exit of the park the defendant grabbed her arm and pulled her to one side.

“He began a sustained and systematic attack, penetration of each orifice accompanied by unusual conversation with the victim, best described as mind games in an attempt to control her.

“Asking the victim what she thought he was going to do to her before actually carrying out the acts.

“He behaved oddly in other respects in interacting with the victim concerning the condom he used when he penetrated and ejaculated.”

The recorder told him: “You have done the most terrible things and you will be going to prison, as you understand, for a very, very long time.”

McCann will be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on April 28.

Crown Prosecution Service London reviewing lawyer Andrew Held said: “This was a terrifying, violent and prolonged attack involving rapes committed by a man intent on inflicting fear and psychological suffering.

“The strong prosecution case which led to today's guilty pleas included victim testimony, an ID parade, CCTV footage, and bad character evidence based on a similar rape committed by McCann in 2006.

“I would like to thank McCann's victim for her courage in helping bring this prosecution and hope his conviction provides some sense of justice for her.”

PA