Courts / Dublin / Report
Woman awoke to find burglar sexually assaulting her
Summary
In a Dublin apartment on 17 July 2019, a 28‑year‑old Moroccan national, Ibrahim Elghynaoui, broke in and sexually assaulted a woman who had just awakened. The woman described being strangled, having his hand forced into her vagina, and fighting back by striking his eyes, groin and biting him. She escaped through a bedroom window, and Elghynaoui fled. He admitted burglary but denied assault. He was convicted of aggravated sexual assault and burglary, and has been in custody since 18 July 2019. Sentencing was adjourned to 1 March 2021 to allow a psychiatric report and to determine his EU status. The victim's impact statement detailed ongoing hyper‑vigilance, PTSD, and the lasting physical and emotional harm she endured. The trial highlighted the traumatic nature of the assault and the victim's struggle to recover. Ibrahim Elghynaoui pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman awoke to find burglar sexually assaulting her. Charges or matters: aggravated sexual assault of the woman and burglary at her home in Dublin city on July 17, 2019; the burglary of another man's nearby apartment earlier the same night and attempted burglary of another home on July 12, 2019. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Convicted
When:
- July 17, 2019 Incident
- July 12, 2019 Incident
- July 18, 2019 Adjournment
- March 1, 2021 Adjournment
- 2021-02-01 Publication
Why: She described how she suffers bad insomnia but is too frightened to take sleeping tablets because she is terrified of being unconscious and unable to defend herself if attacked. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: aggravated sexual assault of the woman and burglary at her home in Dublin city on July 17, 2019; the burglary of another man's nearby apartment earlier the same night and attempted burglary of another home on July 12, 2019 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned sentencing until March 1, 2021 to allow a psychiatric report be completed and Elghynaoui's status in the EU to be established.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Burglary Stage Finding Violent Crime
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