Man who had sexual 'relationship' with girl, 14, and plied her with drugs is jailed

Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard the 'secret relationship' between the parties happened from April to November 2020, when the defendant was aged 26/27 and the injured party was 14/15

The judge imposed a sentence of seven and a half years with the last 18 months suspended. File picture: Dan Linehan

A 14-year-old girl believed she was in a sexual "relationship" with a 26-year-old man who was giving her Xanax and cannabis before intercourse, but it was only when she was older that she realised the extent of his manipulation, Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard on Thursday.

Judge Helen Boyle imposed a sentence of seven and a half years with the last 18 months suspended on 33-year-old Oisín White at the court and prohibited identification of the injured party or of the defendant’s address.