Cork man who sexually propositioned young girl on her way to school avoids jail

Schoolgirl told gardaí she was approached a number of times by the accused, who asked her if she would kiss him or perform oral sex

Anthony Harris, of Orrery Road, Gurranabraher, Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of restricting the personal liberty of a child for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Picture: Dan Linehan

A 59-year-old Cork man who made a sexual proposition to a schoolgirl on her way to school was given a suspended jail term after complying with all directions of the probation service for the past year.

Judge Olann Kelleher said in the course of sentencing Anthony Harris at Cork District Court to a nine-month suspended prison term: “I find the Probation Service are excellent in these matters, particularly where someone has no previous convictions, in terms of education of the accused, which is of benefit to society.