Courts / Louth / Report

Shopkeep to face retrial for sexually assaulting customer (13)

Summary

In 2015, a 63‑year‑old shop owner was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 13‑year‑old girl who had been sent to his shop by her mother to buy a household item. The jury convicted him on a single count and Judge Michael O'Shea imposed a wholly suspended three‑year sentence. The conviction was later successfully appealed on the basis that the trial judge's ruling on the timing of the CCTV footage was unfair. The Court of Appeal has now directed a retrial, following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The unnamed 13-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Shopkeep to face retrial for sexually assaulting customer (13). Charges or matters: a single count of sexually assaulting the 13-year-old girl in the shop he owned in May 2012. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• May 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• October 22, 2015 Incident
• 2018-02-19 Publication

Why: Mr Justice Michael Peart, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice Alan Mahon, said the reason for setting aside the conviction was capable of being remedied on a retrial and there was no basis for refusing the DPP's request. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report