A GIRL who was just 12 when she was raped by a man who later walked free from court has written a harrowing letter describing her ordeal, according to reports.
The 14-year-old said she tried to take her own life after being left traumatised by Daniel Cieslak’s attack, and now relies on medication to help with anxiety and depression.
In the letter published in the Sunday Mail, the girl also claims the assault, which occurred at a flat in Edinburgh after she had been plied with vodka and cherry cola, was carried out after she had passed out, and unable to talk or give consent.
Cieslak, 21, who was 19 years old at the time of the assault in July 2015, pleaded guilty to rape when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow in February following the 2015 attack.
He argued he did not realise his victim was under 16 years old and claimed she had been an “active participant” in having sex with him.
He was said to have burst into tears when he was arrested and told the girl’s age.
Judge Lady Scott gave Cieslak an absolute discharge – the most lenient sentence possible. She said in March: “I do not consider there is any need for, or public interest in, punishment. To do so would in my view be saying anything more severe would be “disproportionate given the nature of the criminal culpability”.
Ceislak’s victim, known only as “Catherine”, says she was left “devastated” by the judge’s decision.
She adds: “It was said I consented but how can someone consent when they can’t even talk? Before this happened, I was confident, happy, always had a smile on my face… now I fake a smile. I suffer from anxiety, depression, I take tablets to help me sleep. I even tried to commit suicide.”
Her letter adds: “People say you should have forgiveness, but how can I forgive someone who has mentally destroyed so much of my life?”.
The girl had been with a friend on a night out in Edinburgh when she ended up at a flat with Cieslak.
She revealed the attack to her family next day, telling them she was scared she might be pregnant.
The girl’s mother Christine told the Sunday Mail the Crown should have appealed the sentence on the grounds of leniency.
She said: “We feel 100 per cent let down by the justice system. My entire trust in the justice system has gone.”
Sandy Brindley, of Rape Crisis Scotland, said the case raises concerns as it had been suggested sex was consensual. She said: “She froze and was unable fight back. This is a common reaction for anyone during an event such as rape, never mind for a 12-year-old.”
A Crown Office spokesman said: “After full consideration of the circumstances, Crown Counsel decided there should be no appeal against the sentence.”
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