Courts / Kildare / Report
Victim criticises DPP's decision to accept sex assault plea, as court notes increase in cases involving children
Summary
In the Central Criminal Court, a 22‑year‑old defendant pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault against a former girlfriend who was 16 at the time of the offences. The victim, who has not been named, criticised the Director of Public Prosecution's decision to accept the plea, stating she did not want to take the deal and felt her privacy had been exploited again. She described a pattern of intimidation, including the defendant waiting for her at school gates and sitting near her in classrooms, and detailed the emotional and psychological impact of the abuse, such as nightmares, panic attacks, self‑harm and suicidal ideation. Mr Justice Paul Burns noted the defendant's juvenile status and the controlling behaviour, and imposed a sentence of four years with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions for three years.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Victim criticises DPP's decision to accept sex assault plea, as court notes increase in cases involving children. Charges or matters: six counts of sexual assault on a trial date. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 2019 Incident
- 2024-10-31 Publication
Why: "There are times when I don't see myself as anything but an object because of what you did to me," she said. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: six counts of sexual assault on a trial date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Having considered the mitigation, the judge imposed a sentence of four years, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions for three years.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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