A Waterford man who raped a 14- year-old girl has been jailed for eight years by Mr Justice Paul Carney at the Central Criminal Court.
Gary Crowley (26), Marine Drive, Tramore, a father of two, pleaded guilty to raping the teenager on the night of January 22nd-23rd last at Cherrymount, Kilbarry.
Crowley was detected as the culprit when Garda John O'Toole arrested him some days later concerning an unpaid fine and thought his features resembled those in a CD-fit picture which had been compiled for the investigation.
Det Sgt Finbar O'Sullivan told Paul Greene, prosecuting, that Crowley made admissions when interviewed about the rape after Garda O'Toole contacted colleagues involved in the case.
Mr Justice Carney said major aggravating factors in the case were the age of the victim and Crowley's "credible threat to kill her". He could be jailed for 14 years on the threat to kill alone.
He said mitigating factors included his early admissions and remorse and his guilty plea which assured the victim she would not have to give evidence and also freed up a trial date. Mr Justice Carney suspended the final 18 months of the sentence.
The victim earlier told Mr Justice Carney that she suffered nightmares still and her school work had deteriorated as a result of the rape. She also experienced personal difficulties and had not benefited much so far from counselling. "I feel what has happened to me has made me a whole different person, I wish I didn't think about it as much," she said. She did not trust people any more and did not go out as much.
The victim's mother said Crowley had ruined her family life and her daughter's life.
Det Sgt O'Sullivan told Mr Greene the girl had got off a bus from Tramore to Waterford with a friend who had then rushed ahead when Crowley grabbed her from behind, said he had a knife and threatened to kill her if she did not remain quiet. She tried to contact her friend who did not understand her signal.
Crowley had been the last person to get on the bus. He dragged her down a lane and raped her after pulling off her clothes. Crowley then dragged her by the hair across rough ground and tried to rape her again but she escaped and got to a nearby house.
Det Sgt O'Sullivan said the people in the house found her semi-naked and distraught and contacted gardaí. They also caught a glimpse of Crowley who had followed her.
Det Sgt O'Sullivan agreed with Paddy McCarthy SC, defending, that the victim did not see any knife and no knife was ever found.
Mr McCarthy told Mr Justice Carney that Crowley admitted the matter to gardaí and pleaded guilty without delay. He would now have difficulties returning home to his native city after serving his sentence and asked for light at the end of the tunnel.