Courts / Dublin / Report
Paramilitaries shot man for abusing stepdaughter (12)
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 46‑year‑old man was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, for sexually abusing his 12‑year‑old stepdaughter. He pleaded guilty to 25 counts of sexual assault, eight counts of oral rape and one count of rape using an object between May 2017 and December 2018. The abuse began while he was still in a relationship with the girl's mother and continued after that relationship ended, with the girl visiting him on weekends. He groomed her into believing they were in a relationship, presenting himself as a father figure and boyfriend. A paramilitary organisation discovered he possessed naked images of the girl and shot him in the legs. The judge noted the high degree of manipulation and control, ordered three years of post‑release supervision, and highlighted the traumatic impact on the victim, who now reports PTSD and anxiety.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Paramilitaries shot man for abusing stepdaughter (12). Charges or matters: 25 counts of sexual assault, eight counts of oral rape and one count of rape using an object between May 2017 and December 2018 at locations in Ulster and Northern Ireland. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 2017 Incident
- December 2018 Incident
- February 2020 Other
- 2021-03-26 Publication
Why: She had to leave school for a while because she was scared and couldn't cope. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 25 counts of sexual assault, eight counts of oral rape and one count of rape using an object between May 2017 and December 2018 at locations in Ulster and Northern Ireland (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The man, who had groomed the victim into believing they were in a relationship, has been jailed for seven years. It involved "a high degree of manipulation and control of the victim", he said. "She was subjected to a variety of adult sexualised behaviour," the judge said. "It will likely stay with her for life." Mr Justice Owens imposed a sentence of eight years and suspended the final year on a number of conditions.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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