Courts / Wicklow / Report
Sentence cut on appeal for man jailed over "prolonged and intensive" sexual abuse of step-daughter
Summary
William Coster, aged 45, was convicted of sexually assaulting his step‑daughter, who believed him to be her father. The victim, now in her mid‑twenties, was aged 12‑16 during the abuse, which began in 2002 and ended after her sixteenth birthday. A jury at the Central Criminal Court acquitted him of all rape charges but convicted him of all sexual assault charges, sentencing him to 10 years imprisonment on 20 January 2014. Coster had pleaded guilty to five representative counts of sexual assault and denied the remaining counts and 35 rape charges. On appeal, the Court of Appeal found the 10‑year sentence "out of line" with comparable cases and reduced it to seven years, to run concurrently. Coster accepted the conviction and did not pursue further appeal. The judge noted the prolonged, intensive nature of the abuse and its profound impact on the victim.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sentence cut on appeal for man jailed over "prolonged and intensive" sexual abuse of step-daughter. Charges or matters: a number of sample counts of sexually assaulting his step-daughter but had denied additional counts of sexual assault as well as 35 charges of rape; five representative counts of sexual assault, Mr Justice Birmingham said. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- January 20, 2014 Incident
- November 2008 Incident
- 2016-02-12 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: a number of sample counts of sexually assaulting his step-daughter but had denied additional counts of sexual assault as well as 35 charges of rape; five representative counts of sexual assault, Mr Justice Birmingham said (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice Birmingham said Coster's sentence, viewed in the context of sentences imposed in comparable cases, seemed to be "somewhat out of line and indeed appreciably so". Mr Justice Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and Mr Justice Alan Mahon, imposed seven year sentences on all counts to run concurrently.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- 'Alternative dispute resolution': man arranged 'straightener' during which dad-of-seven was stabbed to death
- Murder accused pleads guilty to violent disorder at playground
- Former accountant went on 'nationwide tour' with bank card stolen from hospital patient
- State defends use of social media photos in Bray Boxing Club shooter's trial
- Facebook photos of Bray Boxing Club shooter with gun prejudiced his jury, barrister claims
- Suspended sentence for sex assault on girl (6)
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request