Courts / Ireland / Report
Judge jails offender for 'deeply traumatic series of sexual assaults'
Summary
A 25-year-old man, Thomas Osborne, has been jailed for nine years for subjecting a 12-year-old girl to a 'deeply traumatic series of sexual assaults' over a two-month period. Osborne, who pleaded guilty to oral rape, five counts of sexual assault, and inviting the girl to touch his penis, took advantage of being alone with the child and repeatedly assaulted her. The Central Criminal Court heard that the girl, who is entitled to anonymity, gave an articulate and moving account of the harm inflicted on her. Judge Paul McDermott highlighted the breach of trust involved in the repeated offending by a much older man and noted that Osborne had told the girl what he was doing was illegal and not to tell anyone. The judge set a headline sentence of 11 years but reduced it to nine years, taking into account Osborne's guilty pleas, remorse, and lack of prior convictions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Judge jails offender for 'deeply traumatic series of sexual assaults'. Charges or matters: oral rape, five counts of sexual assault and inviting or inducing the girl to touch his penis at a location in Leinster, on dates between December 2020 and February 2021; the offences after his trial had opened and the child's evidence had been played on DVD but before she was cross-examined. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 2020 Incident
- February 2021 Incident
- 2025-11-26 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: oral rape, five counts of sexual assault and inviting or inducing the girl to touch his penis at a location in Leinster, on dates between December 2020 and February 2021; the offences after his trial had opened and the child's evidence had been played on DVD but before she was cross-examined (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Thomas Osborne (25) for nine years for oral rape and sexual assault on 12-year-old girl Photo: Collins) By Fiona Ferguson A man who subjected a 12-year-old girl to a "deeply traumatic series of sexual assaults" over a two-month period has been jailed for nine years. Mr Justice McDermott imposed a sentence of ten years imprisonment with the final year suspended on conditions including that Osborne have no contact with the injured party through social media or otherwise and not be in the company of children unless under supervision.
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
- Oakfield Street
Topics
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