Courts / Cavan / Report

Suspended sentence for young man who sexually assaulted cousin

Date
2018-05-14
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Cavan
County
Cavan

Summary

A 21-year-old man from Cavan has received a three-year suspended sentence following his guilty plea to sexually assaulting his 15-year-old cousin at the Central Criminal Court. The offence occurred on May 17, 2015, when the accused was 18 years old. The court heard that both had grown up closely together and that the man had developed a romantic interest in his cousin. He lacked sexual education and maturity for his age, with his first discussion about sexual consent occurring during garda interview after the incident. The victim, now 18, provided a victim impact statement describing the emotional distress caused but noting she did not regard her cousin as dangerous. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy suspended the sentence in full, conditional on the man's compliance with the Probation Service and completion of a community-based treatment program for sex offenders. The judge noted that psychological assessment indicated low re-offending risk and considered the probation reports favourably.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for young man who sexually assaulted cousin. Charges or matters: one count of sexually assaulting his cousin at his home on May 17, 2015, when he was 18 year's old. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed 21-year-old

Accused

Charges: one count of sexually assaulting his cousin at his home on May 17, 2015, when he was 18 year's old (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: By Isabel Hayes and Fiona Ferguson A young man who sexually assaulted his 15-year-old cousin as she lay sleeping in bed beside him has been given a suspended sentence on condition he attend a suitable treatment program. He imposed a three year sentence which he suspended in full on condition that the accused abide by all directions of the Probation Service and attend at the recommended treatment program.; Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy today noted the case had been adjourned on a number of occasions so that the young man's suitability for a community-based treatment program for sex offenders, aimed at providing supports and reducing the risk of re-offending, could be assessed.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Garda Station
  • took place in the garda station

Topics

Stage Sentence

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