Courts / Ireland / Report
Transgender woman who sexually abused partner's son loses appeal
Summary
A 32‑year‑old transgender woman was convicted by a Circuit Criminal Court jury of ten counts of sexual assault under the Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1990 and one count of child cruelty. The offences took place between September 2011 and September 2013 when the child was five and six years old. A Circuit Court judge sentenced her to six years and six months in prison, suspending the final six months for one year. In a Court of Appeal hearing, the appellant argued that the judge had not given sufficient regard to the difficulties she would face as a transgender woman in prison and that a larger portion of the sentence should have been suspended to encourage rehabilitation. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy dismissed the appeal, noting the seriousness of the repeated sexual assault, the abuse of a position of trust, and the severe impact on the child.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Transgender woman who sexually abused partner's son loses appeal. Charges or matters: one count of child cruelty. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- September 2011 Incident
- September 2013 Incident
- 2021-03-18 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: one count of child cruelty (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; A Circuit Court judge sentenced her to six years and six months in prison with the final six months suspended for one year. Mr O'Hanlon also argued that the sentencing judge should have suspended a larger part of the sentence to incentivise rehabilitation.
Places mentioned
- Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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