Man sentenced for sexual assault of 14-year-old girl

A man who had unlawful carnal knowledge charges against him dropped after the "Mr C" case constitutional debacle has been given a five year sentence for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in a "parody of love".

The 26-year-old Dubliner, referred to as "Mr F" to protect his victim’s identity, was initially charged with unlawful carnal knowledge but those charges were struck out after the "Mr C" case highlighted the unconstitutionality of legislation.

"Mr F" pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after he was recharged with sexual assault on dates between January 1 to 28, 2005 at a location in the north inner city.

Ms Lisa Dempsey BL, prosecuting, told Judge Katherine Delahunt that an offer of €10,000 compensation had been refused by the girl who said it "would make her feel cheap" to accept it.

Judge Delahunt said he had begun "a pattern of what can only be described as grooming" after meeting the victim who had been "deeply effected" by the offence which occurred "within a close knit group of friends and family".

Judge Delahunt imposed a sentence of five years imprisonment with the final two years suspended and ordered that "Mr F", who has been registered as a sex offender, undergo 12 months post release supervision.

Detective Garda Michael Tynan told Ms Dempsey that the victim’s parents became aware that "Mr F" had sex with their daughter some weeks earlier after she made a suicide attempt when she found out that Mr F" had made her 18-year-old cousin pregnant.

She had come into contact with "Mr F" when he became friends with her male cousin and he was often present when she visited her relatives. She began to look upon him as an "uncle who was always looking out for her".

"Mr F" went on holidays with her family in December 2004 and during this trip he gained her confidence and kissed her in his hotel room on several occasions but told her not to tell anyone.

Det Gda Tynan said that on their return, "Mr F" kept in contact with her through texts and sent her phone credit so she could reply. He obtained the keys to an empty flat and during the period January to February 2005 she would meet him there, eventually having sex because she felt he would not like her anymore if she refused.

"Mr F" ceased contact with her after they had sex and she began to feel depressed. The girl heard at the beginning of March that her cousin was pregnant and "Mr F" was the father and she made a suicide attempt, swallowing 50 aspirin tablets and attempting to slit her wrists with an implement from a school maths set.

Det Gda Tynan said "Mr F", who has 10 previous convictions for road traffic offences, assault and robbery, refused to answer any questions when interviewed by gardaí.

He agreed with defence counsel, Mr Conor Devally SC (with Ms Marie Torrens BL), that the victim was not in fear of him and in fact felt close to him in "a parody of a relationship".

Mr Devally said "Mr F" was now in a "relationship" with the victim’s cousin with whom he had a child. He had "some insight" into the emotional impact his actions had on the young girl and was aware of the "social upheaval" he had created within her extended family whom "he had betrayed from the very beginning."

Mr Devally said "Mr F" was remorseful and now that he had a child of his own he saw the betrayal of trust this "parody of love" entailed.