Courts / Waterford / Report
"This is a win for those who commit these crimes": rape victim criticises court process
Summary
A 19‑year‑old woman who was raped and sexually assaulted by two 27‑year‑old cousins while en‑route to a party criticised the court process for making victims appear "untrustworthy." She said her previous sexual history was brought up during one cousin's trial, which she found confusing. The first cousin denied a rape charge at a Waterford address on 20 December 2015, but was convicted by a jury in a Central Criminal Court trial in May. Mr Justice Paul Butler sentenced him to eight years for rape, suspending the final two years, and the second cousin to five years for sexual assault, suspending the final 24 months. The woman read a victim impact statement in which she said parts of her past unrelated to the case were used to portray her as untrustworthy, and that the court process had shattered her faith in humanity. The unnamed accused pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "This is a win for those who commit these crimes": rape victim criticises court process. Charges or matters: sexually assaulting the woman on the same occasion. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 20, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-07-11 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: sexually assaulting the woman on the same occasion (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice Paul Butler imposed an eight year sentence on the man convicted of rape and suspended the final two years. He sentenced the other defendant to five years for sexual assault and suspended the final 24 months.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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