Courts / Louth / Report

Louth man jailed for rape of family friend

Date
2016-08-02
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Louth
County
Louth

Summary

A 21-year-old Louth man who raped a 15-year-old family friend has been sentenced to eight years in prison. The now 23-year-old accused, who cannot be named to protect his victim's identity, was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury following a trial earlier this month of rape and defilement of the girl at his home between the 4th and 5th of October 2014. He has no previous convictions and is maintaining his innocence of the charges. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy was asked to partially suspend the sentence but refused, noting that there were no mitigation factors in favour of the man. The matter was adjourned for the purpose of the court considering the application for a suspended sentence, but the judge ultimately refused the request. The victim, in her impact statement, described the emotional and psychological effects of the crime on her life, including trust issues, difficulties with schoolwork, and sleep disturbances. The accused's defence counsel submitted testimonials from family members, work and sports clubs, highlighting his character as a good father, hardworking, friendly, and a positive influence in the lives of young people. Counsel also noted that cannabis had been a significant part of the accused's life at the time and asked the court to consider that the aggravating circumstances present in other cases were absent in this case.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Louth man jailed for rape of family friend. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed 21-year-old

Convicted Person

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; A 21-year-old Louth man who raped a 15-year-old family friend has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy was asked to partially suspended the sentence but refused, noting that there were no mitigation factors in favour of the man.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

Related court reports

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