Courts / Ireland / Report

Man who was teenager when he had sex with underage girl avoids jail

Summary

The Central Criminal Court sentenced a 22-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the victim's identity, for defilement of a child. The defendant pleaded guilty to four sample counts of defilement of a child in Co Westmeath and Co Clare, committed between July and December 2016. Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted that the defendant, who was a teenager at the time, met the victim online after lying about his age. The judge acknowledged that the victim was not physically assaulted or coerced, but stated the offences were aggravated by the age disparity, the deception employed, and the defendant's disregard for the victim. Substantial mitigation was accepted, including the defendant's youth at the time of initial contact, his guilty plea, expression of remorse, and lack of previous convictions. Mr Justice McDermott sentenced the defendant to two-and-a-half years imprisonment. However, considering the probation report and testimonials, the judge suspended the sentence in full on strict conditions. These conditions require the defendant to follow all directions of the Probation Service for three years and to refrain from directly or indirectly contacting the victim, her friends, or her family. The matter was finalised with this suspended sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who was teenager when he had sex with underage girl avoids jail. Charges or matters: four sample counts of defilement of a child in Co Westmeath and Co Clare on dates between July 2016 and December 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• July 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• December 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• August 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2020-06-17 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Fraud Stage Sentence

Read the original CNI report