A Dublin youth who committed buggery against a 13-year-old girl was yesterday sentenced to 18 months detention at the Central Criminal Court. The youth was 15 when he committed the crime in February 1998. The court heard that the girl has found it difficult to attend school regularly and is still finding it hard to trust members of the opposite sex.
Det Sgt John Ward said the youth and the victim had known each other in Dun Laoghaire and had indulged in "heavy petting" several times. She was highly intoxicated on the day of the incident.
Mr Patrick Gageby SC, defending, said the youth was very remorseful and he asked the court to suspend part of the sentence so the youth could continue his education as soon as possible. Mr Justice Carney said children were taking up one-fourth of all the cases before the Central Criminal Court and if children were to commit adult crimes they must be prepared to take custodial punishment.