Courts / Ireland / Report

Autistic teen will not be jailed for rape if adequate supports put in place

Summary

An autistic 17‑year‑old who raped a 13‑year‑old boy and sexually assaulted another was convicted of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault. The Central Criminal Court, hearing the case in a midlands town, imposed a three‑year sentence but deferred its imposition until January 2018, hoping a multi‑agency care plan would be in place. Judge Paul Coffey noted the boy's moderate risk of re‑offending if support services were not urgently intervened and directed a new report on the accused. He said he could suspend all or part of the prison term depending on the boy's progress and the services available. The boy will remain under Probation Services supervision while awaiting the final decision. The case involved allegations of abuse against the accused, one of which remains under investigation. The unnamed 13 year old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Autistic teen will not be jailed for rape if adequate supports put in place. Charges or matters: three counts of anal rape on the two victims in July 2015. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

• January 2018 Other
• July 2015 Incident
• 2017-02-20 Publication

Why: A local garda told the court that the abuse came to light because the accused was telling other children that he "had sex" with the boys. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report