A man who sexually assaulted a teenager in a supermarket in an act described as “opportunistic and demeaning” has been sentenced to one year in prison for the offense, reports Breaking News.
While assisting her mother with their weekly grocery shopping in a Dublin supermarket, a 16-yr-old girl was sexually assaulted by Jasmin Nasic, who grabbed her buttocks forcefully as he passed by her.
Nasic, aged 36, from Hillcrest Grove, Lucan, Co Dublin, was convicted by a jury of one count of sexual assault and one count of engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature after a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court earlier this year. These charges carry maximum penalties of 14 years and two years, respectively, reports Breaking News.
During Nasic’s sentencing hearing earlier this year, the young woman delivered a victim impact statement, explaining that it took three years and nine months from the date of the assault to the date of his conviction.
“That is 1,375 days I have had to live with the consequences of this assault,” she told the court. She described herself as an innocent young girl before the incident, stating, “It didn’t even cross my mind that someone would do this to me,” reports Breaking News.
She explained that Nasic’s not guilty plea forced her to endure a trial, which brought “stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights.”
She described the experience of having to submit her counselling notes before the trial as “degrading.”
Judge Martina Baxter praised the complainant after her statement, calling her “a great example for other young women.”
On Friday, during sentencing, Judge Baxter referenced a Probation Service report indicating that Nasic poses a moderate risk of re-offending sexually, reports Breaking News.
The court was informed that, despite previously expressing remorse, Nasic told the Probation Service the incident was accidental and not done “wilfully or intentionally.”
Judge Baxter remarked that Nasic “has much work to do” regarding his sexual offending behavior. She noted that he had subjected a young girl to “sexual grabbing” while she shopped with her mother, describing it as an “opportunistic and demeaning” act, reports Breaking News.
Considering mitigating factors, such as his strong work history and lack of prior convictions, she imposed a two-year prison sentence, suspending the final year on conditions, including supervision by the Probation Service for one year post-release.
Garda Jennifer Desmond had previously told prosecutor Derek Cooney BL that the girl and her mother were shopping when the girl noticed a man approaching her in an aisle. She didn’t think much of it until he deliberately groped her buttock as he passed.
Shocked, the young woman called out to the man before informing her mother. They later confronted Nasic in another aisle, but he denied the accusation, reports Breaking News.
He agreed to go with them to the security station to review CCTV footage, but when the mother turned away, Nasic fled. They contacted 999, and he was later identified through the CCTV footage.
The court learned that Nasic, originally from Croatia, has lived in Ireland since 2016 and has no prior convictions, reports Breaking News.
Oisin Clarke BL, defending, said Nasic now accepts the jury’s verdict and expresses remorse. He submitted testimonials from Nasic’s colleagues, noting his consistent employment in Ireland, including roles in administration at Trinity College and as a kitchen porter.
Mr. Clarke clarified that Nasic never saw the complainant’s medical notes, which were reviewed only by the legal team and not used in the trial, reports Breaking News.
He added that Nasic is a hardworking man who sends money to his family in Croatia, having left his home country due to a violent family dispute involving his father and brother.
Nasic will now be listed as a registered sex offender, affecting his employment and future travel opportunities, the court was told, reports Breaking News.
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