Courts / Ireland / Report
2.5 years for man who sexually assaulted woman asleep in her own bed
Summary
A man from Co. Westmeath was sentenced to two-and-a-half years' imprisonment for sexually assaulting a woman who was asleep in her own bed. The Central Criminal Court heard that the victim was wearing a tampon at the time of the assault, which was later removed in the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. The accused, aged 24, had no prior knowledge of the victim, though they shared mutual friends. He testified that he had engaged in consensual sexual activity with her, including digital penetration, but the jury found him guilty of sexual assault. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, noted the victim's right to privacy and the man's lack of business in her bedroom, describing the act as a catastrophic error of judgement. The sentence was deemed lenient in length, but the judge expressed concern that the man would find custody difficult. The unnamed man pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 2.5 years for man who sexually assaulted woman asleep in her own bed. Charges or matters: raping the woman at an address in Westmeath in September 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 2016 Incident
- 2020-03-16 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: raping the woman at an address in Westmeath in September 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: A Co Westmeath man who sexually assaulted a sleeping woman has been jailed for two-and-a-half years. Mr Justice Hunt sentenced the man to two-and-a-half years imprisonment.
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
Topics
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