Former soldier jailed for seven years for rape
A Cork man and former soldier who raped his friend after she refused to kiss him has been jailed for seven years.
The 45-year-old man pleaded guilty mid trial to one count of rape, two of attempted rape and one of sexual assault at the woman’s Cork home on September 12 and 13 2008.
The woman's evidence was that they were drinking and smoking hash when the accused tried to kiss her in her kitchen as she put on a CD.
She told him "don't go there" and he punched her, tied her hands behind her back and attempted to rape her before ordering her upstairs.
In her victim impact statement she said she had trusted him but he had acted like a monster and had made her life hell, writing to her before the trial asking her to drop the charges.
He changed his plea to guilty mid-trial and apologised in writing for his behaviour which he said "happened in a moment of madness fuelled by alcohol, cannabis and medication".
The former soldier continued "I have now ruined a good friendship".
Mr Justice Paul Carney today jailed him for seven years.
