Courts / Ireland / Report
"Troubled" teen avoids jail for sexual assault of half-brother (8)
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 14‑year‑old teenager with a mild intellectual disability pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting his eight‑year‑old half‑brother on 4 December 2015. The court found the accused had lived in various foster families and was now in state care at a residential boys' home, having sat his Junior Cert that summer. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy noted the teenager's history of self‑harm, psychiatric treatment, and obsessive interest in pornography, and described him as a troubled youth from a dysfunctional family. He imposed a two‑year sentence suspended in full, conditioned on the teenager keeping the peace, behaving well for three years, and complying with Tulsa and Probation Service requirements. The victim, now ten, gave a brief impact statement expressing distress and anger at the assault. The accused had completed about two‑thirds of an 18‑month treatment programme for aberrant sexual behaviour.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Troubled" teen avoids jail for sexual assault of half-brother (8). Charges or matters: sexually assaulting the then eight-year-old boy on December 4, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 4, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-07-02 Publication
Why: He said he had chosen to abuse his brother because he felt he would be unable to report it or understand what was happening. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: sexually assaulting the then eight-year-old boy on December 4, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: By Jessica Magee and Sonya McLean A teenager with a mild intellectual disability has been given a two year suspended sentence for sexually assaulting his younger half-brother almost three years ago. Mr Justice McCarthy imposed a two year sentence suspended in full on condition the he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for three years and abide by the requirements of both Tulsa and the Probation Service. "You have to make serious efforts to resolve your issues," Mr Justice McCarthy warned the teenager as he entered his bond.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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