By BBC News - 14.11.2023 - [UK] - [Michael McGrane]
A former doctor who was jailed in Australia for the murder of a pregnant patient has been convicted of raping a child before he emigrated from the UK.
Liverpool Crown Court heard "depraved and evil" Michael McGrane returned to the city after serving his sentence for killing the woman in Brisbane in 1997. A woman later told police the 61-year-old abused her four decades ago.
McGrane, of Victoria Street, Southport, was convicted of rape and indecent assault and jailed for 23 years. The court heard that McGrane was deported from Australia in 2013 after completing his sentence for murder.
In 2022, he was sentenced to nine months in prison after being caught with almost 1,600 indecent photos and videos of children. As a result of that conviction, a woman went to police to report that he had repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped her between the ages of four and 12.
'Utterly depraved actions'
In a statement, she said the "twisted and perverted" doctor had "inflicted irreversible physical and emotional damage". "Shame on you," she said. "I strongly believe in karma and you will get what you deserve."
She said when she found out about McGrane's 2022 conviction, she had felt it was her "duty" to speak out. Addressing the judge directly, she added: "Do not let this man ever hurt another woman or child." Jailing McGrane, Judge Robert Trevor-Jones told him he was "a depraved and evil individual".
He said the woman who reported him had said he abused her "hundreds of times" and his previous conviction showed his "continued deviant interest in children".
He also imposed indefinite restraining and sexual harm prevention orders and ordered him to sign on the sex offenders register for life.
Speaking after the hearing, Det Insp Rob Pritchard said the sentence would ensure McGrane "pays for his utterly depraved actions". "Thanks to the determination and bravery of his victim, McGrane will now spend a considerable amount of time behind bars," he said.
"As you can imagine for victims of such an appalling crime, the impact on them is significant and long-lasting. "I hope this sentence provides some comfort in knowing they did the right thing by reporting McGrane's heinous crime to us."
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Dignity4Patients, whose helpline is open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm.