Brother of Karen Danczuk jailed for 15 years
Judge tells him ``She was your little sister, over whom you held sway."
The brother of Karen Danczuk has been jailed for 15 years for subjecting her and two other victims to a series of sex assaults.
Michael Burke, 38, the brother of the estranged wife of Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, shook his head and threw up his hands today as he stood in the dock and was sentenced following a trial last month at Manchester Crown Court.
His sister later waived her right to anonymity as a victim of sexual offences to brand her brother a monster'' who hadrobbed me of my childhood'' and made her suicidal.
During the three-week trial, the mother-of-two told the court her brother abused her at the family home in Middleton, near Rochdale, from the age of six or seven - progressing to rape when she was aged 11 - until she was in her mid-teens.
Burke denied 15 counts of rape, one attempted rape and one indecent assault against his sister and two other women, spanning an 18-year period from 1992 to 2010. But the jury found him guilty of eight counts of rape and another serious sexual offence against the three women, including three counts of rape against his sister, when she was aged between nine and 11 and he between 14 and 16. He was cleared of nine other serious sexual offences. The two other women have not waived their right to anonymity and cannot be identified.
Mrs Danczuk told the jury the abuse had ruined her schooling, left her incapable of love and intimacy and that she struggles with depression and anxiety.
Passing sentence, Judge Andrew Gilbart said: She was your little sister, over whom you held sway.Your actions affected her emotionally well into adulthood. As she put it, instead of looking back on her first sexual experience as something to be remembered fondly, she looked back on being raped by her brother before she reached puberty. You groomed her. Your little sister was your playmate and susceptible to anything you suggested. You have shown not a shred of remorse.''
Please see the NSPCC statement on the sentence of Michael Burke
Reacting to the sentencing an NSPCC spokesperson said: “Justice has caught up with Burke who must have thought his crimes were consigned to history.
“There is no doubt the sex abuse Burke committed against these women has had a lasting effect on their lives.
“But today is proof survivors of abuse will be listened to if they come forward and action will be taken. We hope they will now get the support they need to recover.
“Adults with any issues or concerns about children can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. Children and young people can call ChildLine on 0800 1111, or get help online at childline.org. uk”