Courts / Waterford / Report

Fisherman jailed for indecent assault has jail term cut by one year on appeal

Date
2015-07-13
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Waterford
County
Waterford

Summary

In 2014, a 79‑year‑old Waterford fisherman was convicted of 16 counts of indecent assault against a girl in 1982‑83. He was acquitted on eight counts and found guilty on the remaining eight, receiving an eight‑year prison sentence with a two‑year suspended portion. In 2015, the Court of Appeal increased the suspended portion by one year, citing the defendant's age and serious health issues, including prostate cancer, asthma, multiple system disease, and prior bypass surgery. The final sentence now requires the fisherman to serve eight years in prison, with the last three years suspended. He must also post a €100 bond to maintain good behaviour during the suspended period. The appeal did not alter the original conviction or the nature of the offences, merely adjusting the custodial term to reflect the defendant's circumstances. The unnamed 79-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Fisherman jailed for indecent assault has jail term cut by one year on appeal. Charges or matters: 16 counts of indecently assaulting a female over the months of July and August in 1982 and 1983. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

Why: She said it was difficult to describe how the man's criminal acts affected her because every aspect of her life was eventually affected. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 79-year-old

Appellant

Charges: 16 counts of indecently assaulting a female over the months of July and August in 1982 and 1983 (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; A Waterford fisherman jailed for indecently assaulting a girl whose family he befriended in the 1980s has had his jail term cut by one year on appeal. Having been acquitted on 8 counts, he was found guilty guilty by a jury on the remainder and sentenced to eight years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Judge Pauline Codd on February 4, 2014.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Waterford
  • Waterford Circuit Criminal Court
  • Court of Appeal

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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