Courts / Waterford / Report

Sex abuse complainant tells trial that father owned rocket launcher

Date
2016-04-21

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Waterford

Summary

During the child sex‑abuse trial in the Central Criminal Court, a 12‑year‑old Waterford boy gave evidence on the eighth day. He alleged that his father threatened to throw his partner out of the family home if she refused to have sex with their son. The boy also claimed that his father owned a rocket launcher, machine guns, an AK‑47, an Uzi, a sniper rifle, a silencer‑compatible gun, a Beretta similar to one in a James Bond film, an 18th‑century ceremonial sword and several knives. He said the father had filmed some of the alleged abuse and shown the footage to others, held a gun to his head, and locked him in a box. The parents face 82 abuse charges from 2007 to 2011; both pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of sexual exploitation and one child cruelty charge each. The trial continues before Mr Justice Robert Eagar and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Sex abuse complainant tells trial that father owned rocket launcher. Charges or matters: 16 counts each of sexual exploitation and one charge each of child cruelty. Procedural stage: trial

When: