Man who sexually assaulted woman who went to view rental room in his house is jailed
'I genuinely didn't know what was going to happen to me, and the 11 or so minutes in that house alone with him felt like an eternity'
A man who sexually assaulted a young woman who went to view his house after he advertised that he had a room to rent has been jailed for two years.
Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that 36-year-old Leon O'Connor was suffering from an undiagnosed mental illness when he carried out the offending behaviour on December 29, 2021.
Det Sgt Michelle O'Leary said that the injured party had responded to an advertisement for a room rental in a house. Mr O'Connor said that he was looking for a female tenant 'as they were easier to get on with' whilst he also indicated that he did not want a smoker or drinker.
Dt Sgt O'Leary said that whilst setting up the viewing over the phone Mr O'Connor asked the woman if she was in a relationship. She thought that this was an 'unusual question.' She said that the woman was driven to the property by her brother.
Mr O'Connor told the woman that he only wanted her to enter the property. He cited health concerns in relation to the pandemic for not allowing her brother in. Her brother waited in the car.
The defendant invited her in to see the room for rent. She noticed a number of knives on the book case. Mr O'Connor closed the curtains and told her he was doing so to 'prevent a draft.'
Dt Sgt O'Leary said the young woman 'felt uneasy.'
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News in 90 Seconds - May 23rd
'He touched her on a number of occasions going around the house. He touched her buttocks. She was afraid he had a weapon. He brushed his hand against her left breast. As they moved through the house she tried to remain calm. While showing her the room, he stood beside her. He caressed her vagina area.
She was extremely frightened. She said she would need to speak to her brother before she decided (to rent the room). She went out and got in to the car and was shaking uncontrollably.'
The young woman reported the matter to gardai. Dt Sgt O'Leary said that the injured party was frightened Mr O'Connor would 'lure other females to his house.'
In a victim impact statement the young woman said that she lost her spark following the incident.
'I've been a shell of myself. As a result of what happened to me I lost my confidence, my mental health deteriorated massively, and subsequently my relationships failed, as I felt like I lost control of it.
'All this happened at my worst time. I was homeless, out of work, when people are supposed to be looking forward to a new year and new beginnings.
'What happened to me wasn't fair, and I didn't deserve to be put in that position. No one does. I didn't ask for it, and I didn't want it, but it did happen to me. I felt so scared that night.
'I genuinely didn't know what was going to happen to me, and the 11 or so minutes in that house alone with him felt like an eternity.'
Judge Helen Boyle said that having read psychiatric reports it was accepted that there was 'ample evidence of a severe psychiatric illness'in the case. A jury previously found Mr O'Connor guilty of sexually assaulting the woman three times during the eleven minute visit.
Judge Boyle said that there was no doubt that the woman was 'terrified' as she was being shown around the house. She described the young lady as a 'brave' person who was doing her best to get out of a bad situation in her own life when the offence occurred.
'I want to convey my admiration for her and wish her the best. I want to thank her.'
Judge Boyle noted that Mr O'Connor, who has an address in Uam Var Drive, Bishopstown in Cork was a well educated man who had worked to a high level. She said that he had 'gone undiagnosed with psychiatric illness for a long time.'
Judge Boyle said that the supportive family of the accused were doing their best to help him. Mr O'Connor was without previous convictions.
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