Courts / Ireland / Report
Prevalence of rape cases involving sleeping victims 'defies belief', judge says
Summary
In a case heard on 7 February 2022, Mr Justice Tony Hunt sentenced a 22‑year‑old man to six years and nine months' imprisonment for raping a sleeping woman. The offence occurred in a friend's flat after a night out; the victim woke to find the accused raping her while another man kissed her and told her it was "OK". The judge noted the prevalence of such cases "defies belief" and highlighted the aggravating factors of the victim's sleep, the presence of a third party, and the impact on the victim. He imposed a conditional suspension of the final 15 months, requiring the offender to comply with Probation Service directions for 12 months and to avoid contact with the victim. The victim's impact statement described profound trauma, PTSD, and loss of relationships, and she expressed fear of public disclosure of the incident. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Prevalence of rape cases involving sleeping victims 'defies belief', judge says. Charges or matters: rape in a provincial town in Ireland on May 26, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 26, 2018 Incident
- 2022-02-07 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: rape in a provincial town in Ireland on May 26, 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) A senior judge has said the prevalence of cases involving the rape of sleeping or incapacitated victims "simply defies belief" as he jailed a man who raped a sleeping woman for five-and-a-half years. Justice Hunt sentenced the man to six years and nine months imprisonment, but suspended the final 15 months of the sentence on strict conditions, including that he follow all directions of the Probation Service for 12 months and not make any contact with the victim.
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
Topics
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