Michael Dobbins criticises police and prosecutors over rape case

Michael Dobbins said he suffered from depression during his battle to clear his name

The principal of a special needs school in Londonderry who was found not guilty of rape and sexual assault charges has said he has lost all faith in the police and criminal justice system.

Michael Dobbins was cleared of 10 charges last week.

Throughout the two-week trial, a number of witnesses claimed the alleged victim was "besotted by" and "adored" him.

Mr Dobbins said he intended to take legal action against the police and the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

In response to his criticism, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it investigated with "impartiality" and the PPS said it respected the jury's verdict but defended its own decision to prosecute the case "in the public interest".

Mr Dobbins was charged with six counts of rape, three sexual assaults and one charge of sexual activity with someone who was unable to give consent due to a mental disorder.

The offences were alleged to have been committed on dates between 2013 and 2015.

The woman was a pupil at Ardnashee School until she was 19.

After deliberating for just over two hours the jury returned unanimous verdicts of not guilty.

'Preposterous'

Mr Dobbins said he "felt sick to his stomach" when he first heard about the allegations.

"I'm angry at the PSNI," he said.

"I don't think I have any confidence left in them at all and the way they conducted themselves throughout this entire investigation. Evidence of truth was ignored.

"The PPS need to reflect on how this ever got anywhere near a court, but on one level I'm very glad that it got to a court because people can hear and understand the details of this case and find out for themselves how preposterous this was.

"If you start with the belief that one person is a victim, then the other person by default is obviously guilty, this case suffered from that."

Michael Dobbins spoke to BBC News NI after he was cleared of all charges

Mr Dobbins told Coleraine Court he knew the woman from when she was about 11 or 12 and described her as bubbly and outgoing.

But he said she had developed an obsession with him and had come over to his office too often.

He said he always adopted an open door policy at the school office.

The woman had also been to his home with another student and his son.

He said in hindsight he perhaps should not have taken her there.

'Shambolic fiasco'

The court was told the woman knew Mr Dobbins since she was a child and had a photo of him on her phone's screen saver.

The trial heard protocols had to be put in place to stop the woman continually calling into the principal's office.

"It's had a severe toll, I have been put on medication for anxiety, stress, sleep disorder, depression, suicidal ideation. It's been a very tough time.

"My father died with Covid two years ago with all this hanging over me. I find that very hard to forgive and to forget."

Mr Dobbins now wants to know why the case was even taken in the first place when there was no substance to the claims.

"There has to be lessons learned from this whole shambolic fiasco."

'In the public interest'

A PPS spokesperson said: "The evidence received in this case was subjected to a very thorough and careful examination by a team of experienced lawyers including senior counsel, before we concluded that the test for prosecution was met, in line with our Code for Prosecutors.

"This meant that there was both sufficient evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction and it was in the public interest to prosecute.

"This case was properly brought before the courts and the prosecution successfully resisted an application by the defence of 'no case to answer'.

"The judge decided that the case should properly proceed and the evidence be placed before a jury to make their determination.

"We note the outcome and thank the jury for their conscientious consideration of the evidence presented. We respect the verdict that they have reached."

The PSNI said it investigated all reports of alleged criminal activity with impartiality and would gather evidence in order to bring people before the courts.