Girl killed herself weeks after police released stepfather accused of sexual abuse on bail, court hears

A teenage girl killed herself four weeks after police released her stepfather on bail when she alleged he had sexually abused her, a court heard.

Georgia Walsh was 16 when she took her own life last year, leaving a note in which she said she hoped Brett Connell would "rot in hell" for what he had done, jurors were told.

A month earlier, she had given an account of how the 36-year-old allegedly molested her while tucking her in bed at night when she was aged 13 or 14.

Georgia told police she felt "lost and scared", became withdrawn from friends at school and believed she had to "stay silent" about what was happening, Maidstone Crown Court was told.

At the start of Connell's trial, prosecutor Dominic Connolly said Georgia made the allegations of abuse on February 8 last year. She confided in her mother, Jennifer, and was interviewed by police six days later.

Recorder Peter Guest

But Georgia took her own life on March 17 shortly after Connell had been released on police bail, having denied the allegations.

Mr Connolly told the court: "She left a note referring to how the stress from the current situation was too much to handle, and to 'make sure that b------ rots in hell for what he has done'."

Connell, of Sevenoaks, Kent, denies five offences of sexual activity with a child in relation to Georgia. He also faces 11 other sex offences unrelated to Georgia.

Before the case began, the judge, Recorder Peter Guest, told the jury that Georgia had killed herself and therefore would not be cross-examined by Connell's legal team.

"You may be tempted immediately to jump to the conclusion that the defendant is in some way responsible for her death," he said.

"You should not do that. You must keep an open mind, listen to the evidence, speeches and summing up before reaching any conclusions."

He later added after the video had been played that Connell's defence was disadvantaged as Georgia's account could not be "tested or challenged", and she had not taken an oath.

"Although you have seen her being interviewed you are not able to observe her body language and how she reacts to questions in cross-examination," said Recorder Guest.

"It is important you keep these disadvantages that face the defence in these circumstances at the forefront of your mind."

The trial continues.