A man has been put in prison for eight and a half years for raping and false imprisonment of his young neighbour after they spent an evening drinking together.
The 44-year-old, whose name cannot be released to protect the victim’s identity, was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury last April of rape, verbal abuse, sexual assault and false imprisonment at his home in County Sligo. 18th, 2019, reports Breaking News.
Judge David Keane said the “extended nature of the ordeal” the woman was subjected to an aggravating feature of the case.
He sentenced the man to nine years in prison for rape, verbal rape and false charges, and four years in prison for sexual assault.
All sentences are to run concurrently and are dated back to April 27, when the man was taken into custody.
Judge Keane noted that the man apologized to the victim and that it was “a glimmer of hope” for his rehabilitation, reports Breaking News.
The investigating officer told Garda Vincent Heneghan SC, the then 24-year-old woman, that she had met the accused two months earlier at a confirmation party where she had been introduced and had occasionally seen him outside his home, reports Breaking News.
Gardaí said the woman realized she was trapped in the house and became frightened. The man knelt in front of her and tried to pull down her leggings while she tried to pull them up.
Judge Keane said the woman clearly described the ordeal the man went through and the impact of the legal process.
Judge Keane noted that the age difference between the man and the victim, and that he was forced to flee by jumping out of a window, were other incriminating features. He faced a five-year sentence for rape, verbal rape and false imprisonment, and sexual assault.
Although no medical report was provided, the judge noted that the man had a serious medical condition, but this did not provide “significant mitigation as there is no suggestion that medical treatment is unavailable while he is in custody,” reports Breaking News.
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