Courts / Dublin / Report

Boy jumped on sex attacker's back to help girl (11) escape

Date
2020-12-11
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 28‑year‑old man was found guilty of sexual assault on an 11‑year‑old girl who was staying at his sister's house. The victim was trying to retrieve a spare key when the accused grabbed her and forced her onto a couch, then touched her chest and groin. She screamed and shouted a boy's name, who ran downstairs and jumped on the man's back, allowing her to escape. The court noted the man's prior conviction for a 2007 sexual assault on a 15‑year‑old boy and his current sentence for a 2011 offence. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a three‑year prison term, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions, including probation supervision for 18 months after release. The case highlighted the seriousness of the offence, the victim's youth, and the man's remorse and isolation from family and community.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Boy jumped on sex attacker's back to help girl (11) escape. Charges or matters: sexual assault at an address in Dublin on an unknown date between September 1, 2011 and October 31, 2011. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: The girl went to her neighbour's house because she knew her mother would leave a spare key there. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 11-year-old

Convicted Person

Charges: sexual assault at an address in Dublin on an unknown date between September 1, 2011 and October 31, 2011 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: The man (28), who cannot be named to protect the victim's identity, was jailed last year for a separate sexual assault on a young male in 2007 when the accused was aged 15. Judge Ryan sentenced the man to three years imprisonment, but suspended the final 18 months of the sentence on strict conditions, including that he follow all directions of the Probation Service for 18 months post release.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Incident

Topics

Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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