Louth man who sexually assaulted stepdaughter and her friend jailed for eight years

Irish Independent

5 hours ago

A 47-year-old man who offered his stepdaughter €50 for sex has been jailed for eight years.
The defendant was sentenced at Dundalk Circuit Court after being convicted by a jury of sexually assaulting the girl and of her sexual exploitation when she was 14.
He was also convicted of sexually assaulting her friend when she was thirteen.
The man, aged 41 and 42 at the time of the offending, had been in a relationship with Victim A's mother and was effectively her stepfather. They lived in his house and initially had a good relationship.
Victim B was in the sitting room of the house on February 21, 2020 when the man put his hand down the back of her trousers. She immediately became upset and ran to another room where she was joined by two friends and told them what happened. Gardaí were contacted.
The defendant was convicted of sexually assaulting Victim A on a date unknown between September 1, 2018, and February 28, 2020; and with her sexual exploitation on a date unknown between February 17, 2020 and February 21, 2021 at the house.
He bought her a bottle of vodka. She drank half of it. He was at the back door smoking. He kissed her and put two fingers in her vagina. She pushed him away.
On another occasion the girl was in her bedroom. The man offered her €50 for sex. She refused and he went away.
He returned, saying that he didn't want to make her feel like a prostitute, and asked her if she was sure.
The defendant stole Victim B's innocence, the court heard. She couldn't sleep and found it hard to make friends. Her education was impacted.
Her mother had suffered since, while the trial brought everything back.
He had been a father figure to Victim A. They had a close relationship but that changed when she was about 12.
She didn't understand what happened. Her mother believed him over her, and the relationship with her mother was never the same.
She couldn't put things behind her and had made an attempt on her life.
Judge Dara Hayes said that the defendant's previous conviction for drink driving was not relevant.
His relationship with the girl's mother ended almost immediately when the complaint was made.
A probation report said that he showed no remorse and was 'victim blaming.'
He was adopted and had no close relationship with his birth mother nor with his adult son. He was not working.
There were alcohol issues, while he couldn't explain 'drugs related' messages on his phone.
Judge Hayes said that Victim B was a guest in his house. Thankfully, she had the strength to immediately report what happened.
The defendant saw Victim A as something other than a daughter.
It was a 'degrading and disgusting way to speak to any child.'
The judge added it was an extraordinary breach of trust, and noted the disparity in age between the man and the two young girls.
The defendant had pleaded 'not guilty' which was his constitutional right.
He doesn't accept the verdicts and it was 'difficult to see where any mitigation might lie,' Judge Hayes continued.
For the sexual assault and sexual exploitation of Victim A, concurrent prison terms of 5 years, nine months and 4 years, nine months, respectively, were imposed, consecutive to 3 years and three months for the sexual assault of Victim B, a total of 9 years.
The final 12 months were conditionally suspended, and the sentence backdated to March 4 last.
The man must place himself on Probation Service supervision for two years post release and have no contact with the two victims.
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