A Cork man has been jailed for seven years for sexually assaulting his former girlfriend's teenage daughter over a number of years.
Judge Kieran O'Connor told the defendant he had been convicted by a very discerning jury of serious charges. The child was living as his daughter in this house and his conduct was appalling the judge said at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, yesterday.
Judge O'Connor imposed a five year sentence on each of, three charges, the sentences to run concurrently. He imposed a two year sentence on a further charge to run consecutive to the five year term, and 10 further two year sentences to run con-current with the others a total of seven years' imprisonment.
The 36 year old man had pleaded not guilty to 20 charges of indecent assault and sexual assault on the girl between 1989 and 1993.
During the trial, the girl walked out of the video link room on two successive days, refusing to answer any more questions. She completed her evidence directly from the witness box on the third day.