Courts / Dublin / Report
Abuser wrote disparaging letter to court about victim's mother
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 29 November 2019, a 35‑year‑old man was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for sexually assaulting a seven‑year‑old boy, a victim whose identity was protected. The defendant, who denied the assault, had written a letter to the court containing disparaging remarks about the victim's mother. He was found guilty on one count of assaulting the older boy, but acquitted on charges relating to the younger brother. The judge, citing the defendant's lack of remorse and the letter's content, imposed a headline sentence of four years, reduced to three years after considering mitigating factors such as his prior good character and employment. The sentence was back‑dated to 18 October 2019. The victim's 14‑year‑old brother, in his impact statement, described ongoing sleep disturbances and fear, while the mother characterised the family as victims of the defendant's cruel actions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Abuser wrote disparaging letter to court about victim's mother. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted
When:
- August 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 18 Other
- 2019-11-29 Publication
Why: In his victim impact statement, which was previously read out in court, the now 14-year-old boy said that because of the events, he had had many life problems which the man did not consider. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; By Brion Hoban and Isabel Hayes A man who sexually abused his friend's seven-year-old son while staying in her house has been jailed for three years. She set a headline sentence of four years but, taking into account mitigating factors including his previous good character and work history, jailed him for three years.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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