Courts / Cork / Report
College dropout who tried to rape homeless man set to leave custody after sentence cut
Summary
William Dollard, aged 32, was convicted of sexual assault and attempted anal rape of a 61‑year‑old homeless man on 30 May 2017 in Co Cork. A jury found him guilty and he was sentenced in June 2020 to five years and six months, with 18 months suspended, by Mr Justice Paul McDermott. Dollard appealed both the conviction and the sentence. The appeal against the conviction was dismissed, but the Court of Appeal reduced his custodial term by one year, leaving him with a three‑year custodial sentence. The Court of Appeal also increased the suspended portion to two years and six months. The judge noted that Dollard had become homeless and was on the margins of society, and that the arrest under Section 24 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 was lawful. Dollard is set to be released from custody imminently after serving just over three years.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: College dropout who tried to rape homeless man set to leave custody after sentence cut. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- May 30, 2017 Incident
- June 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-03-24 Publication
Why: The judge then informed Dollard that because his original sentence had been backdated to February 2019, he was due to be released from custody "imminently" and should contact his solicitor. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; William Dollard (32) was jailed for four years after a jury found him guilty of the sexual assault and attempted anal rape of a 61-year-old male at a location in Co Cork on May 30, 2017. The defence barrister also told the court the sentence of five years and six months, with the final 18 months suspended, imposed on his client had been "excessive in all circumstances".
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Public Order Stage Appeal Violent Crime
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