Workman called to do repairs bit woman’s nipple

A workman who told a woman she had "a fine pair of boobs" when he called to do repairs at her home, grabbed her breasts, bit her nipple, and grabbed her between the legs.

His victim forgave him but said she would never forget the attack, where she feared she would be raped. She did not want him jailed.

John Jenks, aged 43, of Rathclare, Buttevant, Co Cork, called to the home of the woman, aged 55, who told him there was a slate loose on the roof. While walking behind her he said she was a fine, fit woman.

He called the next morning to do the work and she had a dressing gown over her nightdress.

Sgt Eileen Kelly said yesterday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that Jenks told the woman: “You have a fine pair of boobs.”

The sergeant said the woman asked Jenks if he had any respect for his wife. He pushed her top down to feel her right breast. He bit onto her right nipple, which she found extremely painful.

She managed to slap his face and he stopped. At the time she thought he was going to rape her.

In a victim impact statement she said: “I am prepared before God to offer him forgiveness for this brutal attack but I will never forget what happened.”

Defence barrister Seamus Roche said it was out of character for Jenks, who had €1,000 brought to court for the victim.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin imposed an 18-month suspended jail sentence.