Delays to my rapist’s trial left me terrified, survivor tells BBC

A rape survivor said constant delays in her attacker’s trial left her feeling “resistant” and “not human anymore”.

Morwenna Loughman was violently raped in February 2023, leaving more than 48 people injured. The attacker was convicted more than two years later, in August 2025, but after the trial was canceled twice within a short time.

The actor, who shared his story with BBC Newsnight, said he kept going because he “had a gut instinct”. [her attacker] “He’s done it before and he’ll do it again,” he said, adding: “We had to stop him.”

New research from the charity Rape Crisis England and Wales has found that a third of all cases will be adjourned at least once by 2024, up from one in 10 in 2015.

Ms Loughman, 36, who chose to waive her anonymity, said she was “devastated” to hear her first hearing date had been postponed but was determined to fight “a system that is created to put you out of business”.

He also said that after the initial delay, he learned that the attacker had repeatedly violated bail conditions.

“It could have happened anywhere,” he said.

The second delay came after Ms Loughman received a message from police saying it was “all clear” for the case to proceed, but that the case would be withdrawn again without explanation eight hours later.

Miss Loughman told Newsnight she had become a “shadow” of herself, had nightmares, flashbacks and suffered from acute post-traumatic stress disorder, which caused severe vomiting attacks.

“Basically, I lost my job. I lost my house. My house was a crime scene. I was afraid to stay awake, afraid to be asleep because of nightmares and flashbacks,” he said.

Rape Crisis England and Wales said as part of its investigation that widespread delays in the justice system were a “direct cause of re-traumatisation” for victims and put more women and girls at risk of violence and abuse.

Justice Minister Sarah Sackman told Newsnight the situation was “absolutely unacceptable” and acknowledged criminal courts were “in crisis”, but added that the government was working to expand courtroom capacity and recruit more staff across the system.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.

Ministry of Justice data shows the backlog at the Crown Court has reached record levels with more than 78,000 open cases by June 2025.

With her attacker finally convicted, Ms Loughman said she was only now starting to rebuild her life.

“Only after he is convicted can I start to feel like myself again,” he said.

“Being raped violates you in the most horrific ways. For two and a half years I couldn’t look people in the eye, and only now can I begin to rebuild my life.”

If you have experienced sexual abuse or violence, help and support is available at: BBC Action Line.