A man who made unfounded allegations that he was sexually assaulted by X Factor judge Louis Walsh at a night club in Dublin had received €1 million in compensation after suffering severe burns when he was 11, an appeal court was told yesterday. The former dance teacher said he had post-traumatic stress after the burns.
Leonard Watters (24), a father-of-two from Woodview, Navan, Co Meath, was given a six-month term, for making false reports to gardaí, in January at Dublin District Court but was released within minutes – and has been on bail since then – after he lodged papers to appeal the severity of the sentence.
Defence solicitor Cahir O’Higgins gave the court a file containing probation, psychiatric and psychological reports on Watters.
Mr O’Higgins said Watters had self-harmed and had suicidal thoughts. He asked the court to note that when Watters was 11 he suffered severe burns. He spent the compensation on cars and holidays for friends and family.
Judge Katherine Delahunt adjourned her decision until Friday.