Courts / Dublin / Report

Girlfriend of rape accused asked him to visit doctor after seeing "sexsomnia" documentary

Date
2016-10-11
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

The 28‑year‑old former girlfriend of an unnamed man accused of rape testified at his trial that she had seen a documentary on "sexsomnia" and urged him to see a doctor. She described how, during their early relationship, she woke to find him grinding against her while asleep, and that he continued to do so on several occasions, sometimes with no memory of it. She also recounted an incident where he punched her face while they were both asleep. The accused, who pleaded not guilty, said he was drunk but not heavily, had no memory of the act, and had taken steps to prevent recurrence, including no longer sharing a bedroom with female friends and visiting a sleep clinic. The trial is before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of eight men and four women.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Girlfriend of rape accused asked him to visit doctor after seeing "sexsomnia" documentary. Charges or matters: one count of raping the woman at an apartment in Dublin in the early hours of September 28, 2008. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: "Obviously I don't want him to feel bad because I know he didn't mean it," she told the jury. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 28-year-old

Accused

Charges: one count of raping the woman at an apartment in Dublin in the early hours of September 28, 2008 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Secondary Mention

Topics

Sexual Offences Stage Trial

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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