Man jailed for grooming and sexual assault of teenage girl

This article contains graphic references to sexual assault involving a minor, which some readers may find upsetting or distressing.

Reader discretion is strongly advised.

By Niamh O’Donoghue

A man has been given a three-and-a-half-year sentence at the Central Criminal Court for the defilement of a 16-year-old girl.

The 36-year-old man pleaded guilty to defilement, sexual exploitation and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child on dates between June and July 2021 in Co. Dublin.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, has two previous convictions.

On Wednesday, Ms Justice Karen O’Connor handed down a three-and-a-half- year sentence but suspended the final six months for a year. He is now on the sex offenders’ register.

Reading her victim impact statement, the woman said she suffers from self-image problems. “Some days I don’t even recognise myself,” she said.

“The trauma of this has affected me in my day-to-day life,” she said.

She said she had to leave school early and struggles with relationships and intimacy. She said she lost her sense of trust and safety and suffers with shame and guilt.

The sexual exploitation charge relates to the man offering money or drugs to the victim. The court heard he took advantage of his age, his socio-economic standing and the girl’s interest in drugs.

An investigating garda told the court that the then 31-year-old man offered drugs and money as inducements for sex.

He told Anne Marie Lawlor SC, prosecuting, the injured party was not interested in sex and only permitted it because of the inducements made. He offered the girl edibles or pollen which she said she never heard of.

The court heard he made sexual comments about her breasts. He also masturbated and ejaculated in front of her.  On one occasion, he put his penis in her mouth.

The court heard the man sent messages to her that An Garda Siochana were able to put into the book of evidence including that “she’d be better off in his bed”, asking her if she would “blow it” and “let me lie down and bang your face” and references were made to money and drugs.

The court was told the victim attended therapy in 2021 but did not name her abuser. In March 2022, she then named him in therapy and reported it to gardai. The court heard she had a history of self-harm and the man knew that.

He was interviewed in November 2022 when he accepted “she half went down on me” and indicated that he did give her money. He accepted he gave her drugs and grabbed her bum.

A number of letters were handed into court by the defence.

Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC, defending, said his client had suffered with addiction issues in the past.

“All of these offences are very serious,” said Mr Ó Lideadha.

Judge O’Connor noted he groomed the girl and the age disparity as she was 16 and he was 31 at the time, he was a mature adult and was in a postilion of power and there was an element of grooming.

The judge said it was “despicable” to offer drugs for sexual gratification. She said the nature and the content of the text messages were a further aggravating factor as they were of a “crude and course nature”.

She noted he had two previous convictions, which were not of relevance, for road traffic offences. The judge said she had read a letter of apology and accepted the man’s remorse was genuine..