Cork equestrian coach who raped 14-year-old girl when he was 62 jailed for nine years

Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford said at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork that the huge age disparity at the time – 14 years and 62 years – was an aggravating factor

The judge considered possible grounds for reducing the sentence but said: 'There was no plea of guilty, no acceptance of the verdict of the jury. Those factors are not available.' File picture

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A 69-year-old equestrian sports coach who groomed a 14-year-old girl – buying her sports equipment, paying her particular attention to advance in the sport, and buying her alcohol – before raping and sexually assaulting her over a four-month period was jailed on Friday for nine years.