Courts / Tipperary / Report

Abuser who claimed girl (13) initiated sexual contact fails in appeal

Date
2020-06-29
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Tipperary
County
Tipperary

Summary

The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of a 46‑year‑old man who had been jailed for defilement, sexual exploitation of a child and three counts of sexual assault against his partner's 13‑year‑old daughter. He had pleaded guilty to the offences, which occurred between September 2014 and August 2015, and had six prior convictions, including a 1993 sexual assault. The Central Criminal Court had heard that he was in a relationship with the girl's mother at the time of the abuse. The girl, who was not named to protect her identity, testified that she had initially seen the man as a father figure but that he began kissing her, sending sexualised text messages and escalating the abuse. She described feeling love and trust, then sadness and isolation, and ultimately declared herself a survivor.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Abuser who claimed girl (13) initiated sexual contact fails in appeal. Charges or matters: defilement and sexual exploitation of a child and three charges of sexual assault on dates between September 2014 and August 2015. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Why: Her abuser had claimed that the incidents had happened because of the girl's hormonal urges. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 46-year-old

Defendant

Charges: defilement and sexual exploitation of a child and three charges of sexual assault on dates between September 2014 and August 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: The Court of Appeal has dismissed the sentence appeal of a man jailed for abusing his partner's 13-year-old daughter, whom he claimed had initiated sexual contact due to hormonal urges. Mr Justice White imposed a nine-year sentence with the final two years suspended.

Places mentioned

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

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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