Courts / Kildare / Report
Man who defiled girl at sleepover has jail term cut
Summary
A 42‑year‑old man was convicted at Naas Circuit Criminal Court of defilement of a child and sexual assault against a 14‑year‑old schoolgirl who was staying for a sleepover at her friend's house. He pleaded guilty to five counts in January and February 2014. Judge Michael O'Shea imposed an effective eight‑year sentence on 4 December 2015. On appeal, the Court of Appeal suspended the final twelve months of that term, citing the early guilty plea as a mitigating factor that should have been specifically addressed in the original sentence. The appeal judge, Mr Justice George Birmingham, noted the victim's Asberger's Syndrome and the severe impact of the offence, but upheld the eight‑year term with a suspended year, leaving a three‑year post‑release supervision period in place. The case involved a significant age gap and grooming elements, with the offender's partner being the victim's friend's mother.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who defiled girl at sleepover has jail term cut. Charges or matters: five counts at Naas Circuit Criminal Court including defilement of a child and sexual assault at a location in Co Kildare on dates in January and February 2014. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- February 2014 Incident
- December 4, 2015 Incident
- January 21 Other
- 2017-05-26 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: five counts at Naas Circuit Criminal Court including defilement of a child and sexual assault at a location in Co Kildare on dates in January and February 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A man who defiled a 14-year-old schoolgirl, who was sleeping over at her friends house, has had the final year of his prison sentence suspended on appeal. Mr Justice Birmingham said it was not clear how the mitigating factors, particularity the early guilty plea, impacted on the sentence that was actually imposed.
Places mentioned
- Naas
- Naas Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Appeal's view
Topics
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