Courts / Roscommon / Report
Man who repeatedly sexually assaulted teenage babysitter argues 5.5-year sentence too severe
Summary
Michael King, 53, of Warren View, Boyle, Co Roscommon, appealed to the Court of Appeal against his five-and-a-half-year sentence for 12 counts of sexual assault. In May 2023, Judge Kenneth Connolly at Roscommon Circuit Court jailed King after a jury unanimously convicted him on all counts, despite his not guilty pleas. The offences, committed over nine months ending in September 2005, involved the sexual abuse of a 16-year-old babysitter. King was sentenced to five-and-a-half years on two consecutive counts of sexual assault, with the other ten charges taken into account. The trial judge reduced a headline sentence of two-and-a-half years on one count to 18 months, suspending the final 12 months, and reduced an eight-year headline on another count to five years. Counsel for King argued the sentence was excessive and that consecutive sentencing was inappropriate. Counsel for the State contended the sentence reflected the gravity of the escalating abuse and breach of trust. The Court of Appeal, comprising Mr Justice Edwards, Mr Justice Birmingham, and Mr Justice McCarthy, noted the lack of guilty pleas and the significant age disparity. The court reserved its judgement in the matter.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who repeatedly sexually assaulted teenage babysitter argues 5.5-year sentence too severe. Charges or matters: all 12 charges but a jury unanimously convicted him on all counts. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- September 2005 Incident
- May 2023 Incident
- 2024-01-29 Publication
Why: "At 34 years of age, I am still learning that I have a voice, because I have been silent for so long and that my voice matters and that 'no' is always an option. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: all 12 charges but a jury unanimously convicted him on all counts (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: In May 2023 at Roscommon Circuit Court, Judge Kenneth Connolly jailed King, of Warren View, Boyle, Co Roscommon, for five and a half years for 12 counts of sexual assault on the girl who was 16-years-old at the time of the offending. King had been sentenced to five-and-a-half years on two consecutive counts of sexual assault with the other ten charges taken into account.
Places mentioned
- Roscommon
- Roscommon Circuit Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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