An Englishman who sexually assaulted a Co Cork youth has been jailed for 18 months by Judge Dominic Lynch at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The 39-year-old single man was convicted by a jury in March of eight charges of sexual assault on the victim between July and October 1997. Judge Lynch made an order that the defendant not be named to protect his victim's identity. Mr David Goldberg SC, defending, noted there had been no violence, duress, intimidation or threats in this case. His client's time in custody would be more difficult due to his isolation from his family.
Judge Lynch said the offences were serious as the defendant was in a position of trust and abused it.
It appeared to him that the offences merited a sentence in the range of four years, but the defendant had not used violence in committing the offences and as a foreigner would find jail here more difficult. He had no previous convictions and the court felt 18 months was the appropriate term.