Courts / Galway / Report
Man who sexually assaulted sleeping woman has sentence deferred so he can spend Christmas with family
Summary
Rui Mendes, 45, of Ardrahan, Co Galway, was sentenced at Galway Circuit Criminal Court for one count of sexual assault committed at an address in Galway on November 27, 2021. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. Judge Brian O'Callaghan handed down an 18-month custodial sentence but deferred the commencement of the term to January 20 to allow Mendes to spend the Christmas holidays with his family. The judge suspended the final six months of the sentence in recognition of the substantial rehabilitation work undertaken by the defendant. Mendes was placed under the supervision of Probation Services for 12 months post-release. Additionally, the court ordered that €2,000, provided by Mendes as a token of remorse, be paid to the victim within four weeks. The judge noted that the assault occurred while the victim was asleep and was for self-gratification, despite her clear prior rejection of his advances. The matter was finalised with this sentencing order.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who sexually assaulted sleeping woman has sentence deferred so he can spend Christmas with family. Charges or matters: one count of sexual assault at an address in Galway on November 27, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 27, 2021 Incident
- January 20 Incident
- November 2021 Other
- Christmas Incident
- 2025-12-16 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of sexual assault at an address in Galway on November 27, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Brian O'Callaghan handed down an 18-month sentence but deferred it to January 20 next to allow Mendes spend the Christmas holidays with his family. He suspended the final six months of this sentence in recognition of the "substantial work" Mendes has done to rehabilitate himself.
Places mentioned
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