Former EastEnders Actor Harry Rafferty, who attacked a woman with a knife and punched her in the face, has been spared jail time. The 34-year-old allegedly flew into a ‘rage’ and threatened to kill the woman at their friend’s house after she turned him down. The actor who portrayed the role of violent gang leader Kane in the BBC Soap seems to be doing horrifying things off-screen as well. Read on to find more information!
Soap Actor Harry Rafferty Spares Jail After Attacking A Woman
EastEnders Star Harry Rafferty, best known to play the role of Kane in the BBC programme has avoided prison even after threatening to kill a woman. As per reports, he slashed the lady across her chest, stomach and face during a confrontation at a friend’s house in Camden, North London. This case was heard by Wood Green Crown Court where it was revealed that Rafferty was out with a friend drinking when they met the victim at a bar in 2021.
During the judgement of this case, Judge David Aaronberg KC gave Harry a two-year jail sentence and agreed to suspend it, in part due to court delays and a lack of place in prison. Police found Rafferty’s fingerprints on the handle of a broken knife that was used in the attack. He wept in court and told the Judge that he was ‘deeply remorseful.’ He was sentenced earlier this month and he was also slammed for denying the charge of assault.
Prosecutor Frida Hussain KC said that the victim described Rafferty “making sexual advances that she rejected, and she had to justify why she didn’t want anything to do with him”. He then went into an “undue rage” and threatened to kill the woman, the court heard, as the Evening Standard reports. The prosecutor also added that Harry punched the woman several times and attacked her with a bladed article.
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Furthermore, the soap star was criticised by the Judge for pleading not guilty in the face of drastic evidence and subjecting the woman to cross-examine at trial. This led to Rafferty being tested at the hospital and he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. His mental struggles were taken into consideration by the court and the Judge decided to suspend the jail term for two years.
As of now, the actor has to do 140 hours of community service, spend 20 days in rehab and go to a 12-month alcohol treatment course. Along with a restraining order has also been imposed indefinitely, banning him from contacting the woman he assaulted. In a victim impact statement, the lady said that this incident made her lose friends, felt suicidal and is now afraid to leave her own home.
We really hope that she gets better soon! For more such updates on EastEnders, keep checking Soap Opera Daily! Share your thoughts on the crime committed, and whether the punishment given for it is justified. Tell us in the comments section!