Teen sex offender has prison term cut
The Court of Criminal Appeal has reduced the prison sentence imposed on a young Kerryman jailed for aggravated sexual assaults on two women, which occurred within weeks of each other, from 11 to nine years.
Today the CCA decided to suspend the final two years of the 11-year sentence imposed on William Taylor who attacked the women while he was still a schoolboy.
Last year Taylor (now aged 20), from Fieries, Farranfore, pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of the first woman on July 30, 2006 and three further charges in relation to sexually assaulting the second victim on September 24, 2006, while using a knife and threatening to kill her on the same occasion.
At the Central Criminal Court Mr Justice Paul Carney imposed a total of
11 years for the offences and Taylor is also to undergo 10 years of post-release supervision. Taylor appealed against the severity of the sentence.
Moving the appeal yesterday Mr Anthony Sammon SC for Taylor said that sentencing judge had erred by not fully taking into account the youth of his client at the time of the offences.
Counsel said William Taylor was in secondary at the time of the offences, and was arrested while waiting for the school bus.
The court also heard that Taylor was co-operative with gardaí and that he was very immature. Since going into custody he had been receiving medical treatment.
Opposing the appeal Caroline Biggs Bl for the DPP told the court that all relevant factors, including Mr Taylor's youth, had been taken into account by Mr Justice Carney before sentence was passed.
Today the three Judge Court of Criminal Appeal of Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan presiding, sitting with Mr Justice Eamon De Valera and Mr Justice Bryan McMahon found that the trial judge had not given adequate regard to Taylor's young age and to the possibility of rehabilitation.
The court decided to suspend the final two years of each of the sentences imposed on Taylor on terms including that he fully co-operate with the probation services, and that he keep the peace.
