Courts / Dublin / Report
Sex offender jailed for abusing vulnerable girl
Summary
Sean Cole, aged 52, of Donnycarney, Dublin, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for indecent assault and sexual assault of a girl who was a child at the time. The offences occurred between January 1987 and December 1991 when Cole was aged 16 to 20 and the victim was seven years younger. The girl was described as being in a vulnerable situation, with siblings suffering serious illness and parents often in hospital. Cole's conduct involved digitally penetrating the girl and forcing her to masturbate him. The court noted the victim's difficult childhood and the impact of the abuse. Cole had previously been convicted of sexual assault and had left school without exams. Judge Orla Crowe set a headline sentence of ten years, reduced to five years, and suspended the final year on conditions. Sean Cole pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sex offender jailed for abusing vulnerable girl. Charges or matters: four counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexually assaulting the girl at the same address on dates between January 1987 and December 1991; six of the 48 counts against him on the first day of his trial last May, on the basis that these were sample counts and the case against him would be heard on a full facts basis. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 1987 Incident
- December 1991 Incident
- 2023-10-24 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: four counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexually assaulting the girl at the same address on dates between January 1987 and December 1991; six of the 48 counts against him on the first day of his trial last May, on the basis that these were sample counts and the case against him would be heard on a full facts basis (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of 10 years, which she reduced to five years, taking into account mitigating factors, including Cole's guilty pleas.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request