Courts / Dublin / Report

"Danger to society" who drugged and sexually assaulted pregnant partner loses appeal

Date
2019-07-29
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A 55‑year‑old Dublin man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury of three counts of sexually assaulting his heavily‑pregnant partner in November 2014. The jury could not reach a verdict on two additional rape allegations from December 2014, but he was later found guilty of those charges at a retrial. He was sentenced to seven‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, with the final two‑and‑a‑half years suspended for the sexual assaults. The judge described his conduct as "sneaky, underhand and clandestine" and noted the victim, a 40‑year‑old mother of their child, was eight months pregnant and felt "humiliated, embarrassed and degraded" when the assault videos were played in court. The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction and dismissed the appeal, finding the trial judge's interventions fair and justified. The appeal concerning the two rape counts remains pending.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Danger to society" who drugged and sexually assaulted pregnant partner loses appeal. Charges or matters: these charges at a subsequent retrial. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

Why: "The accused told her he had drugged her on occasion because he thought she needed sleep," Gda Harte said. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed man

Appellant

Charges: these charges at a subsequent retrial (Proven)

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; In sentencing him to seven-and-a-half years imprisonment with the final two-and-a-half years suspended for the sexual assaults, Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy said the man's actions were "sneaky, underhand and clandestine".

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
  • Court of Appeal
  • The Central Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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