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Jury finds man (59) guilty of abusing child (4)
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 59‑year‑old man was found guilty of sexually assaulting a four‑year‑old girl he had been caring for. The jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts on two charges after deliberating for over five hours. The man had pleaded not guilty. The trial revealed that the child's mother and the accused's family had been friendly for years, and the child had been cared for by the man's daughter and wife from age one. The child testified that the accused placed his hand under her shorts, rubbed her "bum" (later clarified as her vagina), and licked her "bum" multiple times. Forensic scientist Dr. Charlotte Murphy presented DNA evidence linking the accused's saliva to the child's underwear, with a 1 in 6,700 chance of a coincidental match. The accused denied all allegations, claiming he was never alone with the child and that the DNA could have come from a toilet visit.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury finds man (59) guilty of abusing child (4). Charges or matters: two charges of sexually assaulting the then four-year-old child on dates between July 27, 2016 and July 11, 2017. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- July 27, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 11, 2017 Adjournment
- February 28 Adjournment
- 2020-01-24 Publication
Why: He said that was the only explanation he could give for his DNA being found on her because from there she went to the toilet. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: two charges of sexually assaulting the then four-year-old child on dates between July 27, 2016 and July 11, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: She remanded the man in custody and adjourned the matter for sentencing on February 28, next.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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