Courts / Dublin / Report
Man jailed for 18 months for carrying on sexual relationship with his step-sister
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Russell Ward, aged 23, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for carrying on a sexual relationship with his step‑sister, who was 12 when the relationship began and 16 when it ended. Ward pleaded guilty to four counts of defilement for sexual intercourse that occurred in his home between 2009 and 2011. The victim, now 19, testified that Ward had "stolen all my teenage years," had self‑harmled and suffered from post‑traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. Judge Martin Nolan noted the youth of both parties, the lack of force, and that the girl could not give consent due to her age. He imposed a four‑year sentence with the final two and a half years suspended, ordered 18 months of post‑release supervision, and required Ward to register as a sex offender. The judge also removed restrictions on publishing Ward's identity at the victim's request.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man jailed for 18 months for carrying on sexual relationship with his step-sister. Charges or matters: four counts of defilement of the girl resulting from regular sexual intercourse between the two when the girl would stay in her father's Dublin home at weekends; four counts of defilement in his home between 2009 and 2011. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 2009 and 2011 Other
- 2015-11-13 Publication
Why: "She never said no because she liked Mr Ward and wanted him to like her back," the prosecution said. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: four counts of defilement of the girl resulting from regular sexual intercourse between the two when the girl would stay in her father's Dublin home at weekends; four counts of defilement in his home between 2009 and 2011 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He noted there was no force involved in the sexual activity but that the girl was unable to give consent because of her age. "Mr Ward is well capable of leading a good and useful life but I must punish him for what he did," the judge said, adding that it might be open to him to impose a non-custodial sentence if the sex had stopped when the Ward was 16 or 17. "But he continued after that when he must have known that what he was doing was grossly reprehensible and extremely wrong." Judge Nolan imposed a four year sentence with the final two and a half suspended.
Places mentioned
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Theft
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.