A man from the midlands has been jailed for three years for having unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl and sexually assaulting two others, all aged under 15. Mr Justice Budd said this was half of the sentence he would have got but for his youth and his guilty plea.
A sum of £1,000 compensation offered to the victims was refused by their mothers at the hearing in the Central Criminal Court.
The single man, aged 22, pleaded guilty to two charges of having unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl aged 12 on dates from January 1st, 1996, to March 31st, 1996. He also admitted five further charges of sexually assaulting the same girl and two others aged 12 and 10 in the same period.
Mr Justice Budd said the offences were very serious. The man exploited the weak, young and defenceless victims and exploited the position of confidence and trust he had as a frequent visitor to the girls' house.
A psychological report said one of the girls was severely traumatised. The victim impact report showed she had attempted to commit suicide, and therapy had been needed for her and her family. It was evident the two other girls also needed counselling.
Mr Justice Budd said that although a considerable discount could be given for an early plea of guilty and for saving them from cross-examination, the three girls still had the trauma of waiting for the trial. He stressed the importance of their mothers telling the girls that the man accepted what he did was entirely his fault.
He also took his remorse into account and that psychology reports showed he may not have fully understood the extent of his actions. The judge regretted having to give a custodial sentence due to the defendant's youth and the effect prison would have on him. He recommended the man be sent to Castlerea Prison as it had workshops in which he might learn a trade.