Judge: Chinese sex offender 'no longer welcome in Ireland'

A Chinese man who sexually assaulted a woman and mugged and beat a young girl is “no longer welcome in this country” according to Judge Patrick McCartan.

“The Irish community are well shut of this man”, he said of Sun Yu (aged 24). “Rather than put him in jail at the taxpayers' expense he should be sent back to his own country.”

Yu of Garville Avenue, Rathgar, but originally from North China, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexually assaulting a young woman on May 14, 2006 on Ranelagh Road. He also pleaded guilty to robbing a 16-year-old girl of her handbag on June 1, 2006 on Kenilworth Road, Rathmines.

Judge McCartan heard there was a deportation order on Yu but authorities were waiting for his case to be finalised. The judge also heard Yu was anxious to go back to China but his passport was out of date. He adjourned case for two weeks to allow Yu to renew his passport, so he can be sent home.

Garda Teresa White told prosecuting counsel, Ms Gerardine Small BL, that the sexual assault victim was walking with her friends through Ranelagh to get a taxi home after a night out.

As she walked she heard someone running behind her but did not turn around. Yu grabbed her from behind and put his hand up her skirt and grabbed between her legs. She screamed and tried to swing her handbag at him as he ran away. She said he was very aggressive and physical.

Her friends realised what was happening and tried to chase him but he got away. The woman later was able to identify Yu from a photo album of possible suspects. He was arrested and she picked him out of an identity parade.

He told gardaí he could not remember where he was on that date but claimed he was innocent. He opted for a trial but changed his plea to guilty on the day it was due to start.

A victim impact report from the woman stated she felt she had lost her independence and the incident had strained her relationship with her partner.

Garda James O’Donnell gave evidence that, a week later, a 16-year-old was walking home from her friend’s house at 1.30am when Yu came from behind her and hit her over the head with a blunt object.

He grabbed her neck and dragged her towards the road, hitting her all the time. She was screaming and dropped her bag which he picked up and ran off with. She was still screaming and he ran back and hit her on the head once more before escaping.

She told gardaí she had been hit around 20 times and suffered cuts and bruise but no serious injuries. The bag contained two mobile phones.

Gardaí arrested Yu shortly after and a search of his flat revealed the bag. Yu denied the crime and claimed he saw the bag in a bin as he was cycling past. He again opted for a trial and pleaded guilty on the day it was to start.

Gda O’Donnell said Yu had been here since 2003 on a working visa and had one previous conviction for robbery. He said he had studied English and worked in various restaurants but was currently unemployed.

Defence counsel, Mr Luigi Rea BL, said his client was very sorry and ashamed.

He said he had no friends or family here and using the internet was the closest thing he had to a social life.