Courts / Sligo / Report
Two-year jail term for "man with much potential" who had sex with girl (14)
Summary
A 31-year-old man from County Sligo has been sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to three years imprisonment, with the final year suspended for twelve months, following his guilty plea to the defilement of a child under 15. The offence occurred at an apartment in September 2012. The court heard that the girl, aged 14 at the time, was met by the man by chance and subsequently assaulted sexually against her will. She had informed him of her age and falsely claimed pregnancy in an attempt to discourage him. The man denied knowledge of her age, claiming he believed her to be approximately 18. Justice Tara Burns identified the significant age disparity and the victim's vulnerability as aggravating factors, whilst acknowledging the defendant's guilty plea and admissions to gardaí as mitigation. The suspended portion is conditional on the man maintaining the peace, remaining substance-free, and avoiding contact with minors. He is currently serving a separate sentence for assault causing harm.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Two-year jail term for "man with much potential" who had sex with girl (14). Charges or matters: one count of defilement of a child under the age of 15 at an apartment in Co. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 7 Incident
- April 20 Incident
- 2019-02-18 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: one count of defilement of a child under the age of 15 at an apartment in Co (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A man who had sex with a 14-year-old girl, who told him she was two months pregnant in an effort to deter him, has received a partially suspended sentence. Ms Justice Tara Burns sentenced the man to three years imprisonment, but suspended the final year of the sentence for one year provided he keep the peace and be of good behaviour and follow all directions of his supervising officer.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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