Court upholds man's conviction for sexual abuse of 14-year-old girl

The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of a man sentenced for the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl. Fergus Carson, aged 55, of The Green, Main Street in Convoy, County Donegal, was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury of six counts of sexual assault between May and September 2012. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment with the final 15 months suspended in March 2016. Carson's appeal challenged the fairness of the trial, contending he was denied adequate opportunity to cross-examine his accuser due to her demeanour in the witness box. Mr Justice Alan Mahon, delivering judgment, stated the complainant gave competent and impressive evidence. The court found the trial was fair, that the complainant made herself available for comprehensive cross-examination, and that any hesitancy benefited the defence. The three-judge court dismissed the appeal.