Courts / Sligo / Report
Victim believed abuser had built shed for purposes of sexually assaulting her
Summary
A man aged 67 has appealed his sentence at the Court of Appeal following conviction for sexually assaulting a victim over a 12-year period beginning when she was ten years old. He was sentenced to 12.5 years, with four years suspended, at Sligo Circuit Criminal Court in November 2020 after pleading guilty to 23 counts of sexual assault committed between September 1999 and May 2011. His legal representative argued the eight-year custodial term was excessive and disproportionate, citing his early guilty plea and absence of prior convictions. The Director of Public Prosecutions submitted the sentence appropriately reflected the severity of the abuse, which occurred in various locations including the appellant's vehicle, home, and garden shed. The victim reported experiencing lasting psychological harm, including anxiety and self-harm. The three-judge court has reserved judgment on the appeal.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Victim believed abuser had built shed for purposes of sexually assaulting her. Charges or matters: the child protection agency TUSLA even before a complaint had been made to gardai. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- November 2020 Incident
- September 1999 Incident
- May 2011 Incident
- 2022-04-01 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the child protection agency TUSLA even before a complaint had been made to gardai (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The man – who cannot be named for legal reasons – was sentenced to 12.5 years with four years suspended at Sligo Circuit Criminal Court in November 2020 after he pleaded guilty to 23 counts of sexual assault against his victim between September 1999 and May 2011. Now aged 67 and suffering from ill-health, the man has launched an appeal against the severity of the sentence imposed by Judge Comerford.
Places mentioned
- Sligo
- Sligo Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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