Courts / Dublin / Report
Mother who sexually abused infant son has jail term cut
Summary
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 11 July 2023, Suzanna Hassett, aged 66, had her eight‑year jail sentence reduced by two years after a judge described her sexual abuse of her son as a "huge betrayal of trust." Hassett had pleaded guilty to 13 counts of indecent assault between 1984 and 1987, when her son was an infant to three years old, and to four counts of sexual assault between 1992 and 1995, when he was seven to 11. She had no prior convictions. The original sentence, imposed by Judge Martin Nolan, was eight years with the final 18 months suspended. The Court of Appeal set a headline sentence of five years for the first series of offences, reduced to three years after mitigation, and a headline of five years for the second series, also reduced to three years. The two terms run consecutively, giving a total of six years with 18 months suspended.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mother who sexually abused infant son has jail term cut. Charges or matters: 13 counts of indecent assault on dates between 1984 and 1987, from the year her son was born until he was three years old. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- 1984 and 1987 Incident
- 1992 and 1995 Incident
- 2023-07-11 Publication
Why: "He attached a high degree of moral culpability because of the massive betrayal and also the harm done so you can take it he placed it at the upper end. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 13 counts of indecent assault on dates between 1984 and 1987, from the year her son was born until he was three years old (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Hassett in November last year to a total sentence of eight years with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions, including that she come under the supervision of the Probation Service for 12 months post-release. The overall sentence imposed by the Court of Appeal was six years with the final 18 months suspended.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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