Courts / Galway / Report
Judge concerned about relationship between young offenders and exposure to porn
Summary
In a High Court case, Judge Michael White expressed concern over the link between young offenders and exposure to pornography on smartphones. The case involved a 17‑year‑old boy who sexually exploited his younger cousins. The boy's lawyer testified that the defendant had accessed porn from a very early age. The boy and his cousin engaged in non‑penetrative sexual contact from around 2011 to 2016, beginning when the cousin was about nine or ten. He pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child in 2015 and to anal rape of the cousin in January 2016. He also admitted to consensual anal sex with a male cousin, who was four months younger, up to ten times. The court noted no coercion. The case was adjourned for sentencing, and the judge highlighted this as the fourth instance he has seen where young children's serious offences stem from early porn exposure.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Judge concerned about relationship between young offenders and exposure to porn. Charges or matters: anal rape of the girl in her bedroom on dates in January 2016; sexual exploitation of a child by inviting the child to take part in sexual activity on dates in 2015. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- January 2016 Incident
- 2019-07-01 Publication
Why: The boy, who cannot be identified because he is still a minor, told gardai he became obsessed with sex. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: anal rape of the girl in her bedroom on dates in January 2016; sexual exploitation of a child by inviting the child to take part in sexual activity on dates in 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice White adjourned the case to later this month for sentencing.
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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