Courts / Kilkenny / Report
Teen beat, sexually assaulted and controlled girlfriend
Summary
Martin Tracey, 21, of Kilkenny, was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to coercive control, assault causing harm, false imprisonment and sexual assault against his teenage girlfriend, Donna Clifford, over a two‑year relationship from October 2020 to January 2022. Clifford, also 21, waived anonymity to name Tracey and testified that she suffered physical and emotional abuse, including being choked, punched, sexually assaulted and confined in his bedroom. She recorded threatening messages that encouraged self‑harm and threatened violence. The judge, Ms Justice Melanie Greally, praised Clifford for coming forward and noted the severity of the coercive control. Tracey's sentence was set at four years, with three years concurrent and the final year suspended, subject to probation, sex‑offender and domestic‑violence therapeutic programmes. No prior convictions were recorded for Tracey.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Teen beat, sexually assaulted and controlled girlfriend. Charges or matters: charges including coercive control, assault causing harm, false imprisonment and sexual assault on dates between October 2020 and January 31, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 2020 Incident
- January 31, 2022 Incident
- January 2022 Other
- 2025-05-23 Publication
Why: She recorded the messages he sent because she was afraid he would cause her serious harm and she wanted to have a record of the threats. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: charges including coercive control, assault causing harm, false imprisonment and sexual assault on dates between October 2020 and January 31, 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She imposed concurrent sentences totalling three years and suspended the final year on strict conditions including probation supervision, and undertaking sex offender and domestic violence therapeutic programs.
Places mentioned
- Pearse Street
- Kilkenny
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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