Courts / Kildare / Report
Man who sexually exploited special needs student has jail term cut by half on appeal
Summary
A 51‑year‑old man was jailed for sexually exploiting a 15‑year‑old special needs student. He had pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child at a known location on 23 December 2010. The original sentence was six years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. On appeal the Court of Appeal found the six‑year starting point "simply too high" and re‑sentenced him to four years' imprisonment, again with the final two years suspended. The judge noted that the victim had Asperger's syndrome and a special needs assistant, and that the offender had contacted her through an adult dating website in October 2010, grooming her via phone calls and text messages. They arranged to meet on 23 December 2010 during the victim's lunch break. The offender drove her to a roadside location, forced sexual contact, and later threatened her not to report the incident.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who sexually exploited special needs student has jail term cut by half on appeal. Charges or matters: one count of sexual exploitation of a child at a known location on December 23, 2010. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- December 23, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2010 Other
- December 23 2010 Other
- 2015-11-12 Publication
Why: As the man brought him back to school, by driving straight into the school grounds, the boy said he was told to not tell anyone 'because you'll be in just as much trouble as I will'. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: one count of sexual exploitation of a child at a known location on December 23, 2010 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to six years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Judge Michael O'Shea on December 2 2014. The Court of Appeal considered the six year starting point was "simply too high" and re-sentenced the man to four years imprisonment with the final two suspended today.
Places mentioned
- Naas
- Naas Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Related court reports
- 'Merciful approach': man who sexually assaulted girl (14) a year after defiling her won't face any extra jail time
- Court rejects grandfather's appeal for abusing grandson
- 'I'm going to kill you' - Carjacker held knife to elderly woman's throat
- Mum-of-eight who booked hotel stays with gunman husband during garda manhunt gets suspended sentence
- Nigerian 'Colonel and Major' get combined 16.5 years over 'worldwide, breathtaking' money laundering racket
- Addict jailed after being caught with €330k worth of cannabis following traffic stop
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request