Waterford man gets eight years for sexual assault

A Waterford man has been jailed for eight years at the Central Criminal Court for raping and sexually assaulting a girl from when she was nine.

Maurice Colbert (aged 56) of Coolbagh, Clashmore, Co Waterford was convicted by a jury last February of raping, orally raping and sexually assaulting the victim between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1997. He had denied all the charges.

Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy called it a “crime of the highest seriousness which must run at almost the very highest end of the scale because there was a child involved.”

He noted the now 25-year-old victim had attempted suicide as a result of the abuse and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

She told the court in a victim impact report that she still had nightmares about it and sometimes feels she is “living the abuse.”

Mr Justice McCarthy noted the Colbert had the full support of his family and read several testimonials from people who knew him, calling him a hard worker and a good family man.

However the judge noted that the testimonials are of limited use because “the very essence of these types of crimes is that they are secret crimes.”

“The person is ostensibly of good character and there is a complete misconception of the type of person they actually are.”

He noted Colbert’s good work history, including working for Waterford County Council for many years and a report stating he was at a low risk of reoffending even though he still denies the crimes.

Mr Justice McCarthy imposed ten years post-release supervision “so he will not be a danger to anyone else.”

Garda John Ryan told prosecuting counsel, Mr Gerard Clarke SC, that Colbert was a lorry driver with Waterford County council and a small farmer.

The girl would visit his house occasionally and the accused would sexually abuse her in the shed out the back. He also orally raped her there and raped her in his bedroom.

Gda Ryan said the abuse had devastated the family including Cobert’s three children, who all still support him.

He agreed with Ms Isobel Kennedy SC, defending, that Colbert was highly regarded in his community and had no previous convictions.

Ms Kennedy submitted that he is at a low risk of reoffending but still refused to admit his guilt.