Courts / Limerick / Report

Boys who trapped, attacked and tried to force girl to give them oral sex have detention sentences suspended

Date
2022-12-12
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Limerick
County
Limerick

Summary

Two 17‑year‑old boys were sentenced to three years' detention suspended on strict conditions for attempting to force a 14‑year‑old girl to perform oral sex, stealing her phone and assaulting her. Both pleaded guilty to attempted oral rape, four counts of sexual assault and, for the first boy, an additional count of assault causing harm. The judge, Mr Justice McDermott, described the offences as very serious, noting the boys' attempts to trap the victim, threaten her phone and use violence when her refusal was not accepted. He highlighted the boys' guilty pleas, expressions of remorse and young age as mitigating factors. The suspended sentence requires each boy to engage with the Probation Service, cooperate with suitable programmes and have no contact with the victim. The court emphasised that custody is a last resort and that the boys must comply with the conditions to avoid future custodial sentences.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Boys who trapped, attacked and tried to force girl to give them oral sex have detention sentences suspended. Charges or matters: attempted oral rape, four counts of sexual assault and one count of assault causing harm on February 6, 2020 at a location in Co Limerick; attempted oral rape and four counts of sexual assault on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: The two boys and the victim are all now aged 17 and none of the parties can be identified because they are legally minors. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed girl

Defendant

Charges: attempted oral rape, four counts of sexual assault and one count of assault causing harm on February 6, 2020 at a location in Co Limerick; attempted oral rape and four counts of sexual assault on the same date (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: By Eimear Dodd Two teenage boys who trapped, attacked and stole a girl's phone in an attempt to force her to perform oral sex have been given detention sentences of three years suspended on strict conditions. Setting a headline sentence of six years detention, Mr Justice McDermott indicated he would impose a sentence of nine years on an adult for this "serious" offending.; He then adjourned the case to allow for the preparation of reports from the Probation Service.

Places mentioned

Incident
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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