A Cork man who raped his partner's “semi-comatose” teenage niece when she was sleeping over at their home after a night out has been jailed for seven years.
The 27-year-old man, who can not be named to protect the victim's identity, was convicted of raping the 17-year-old girl at his Co Cork home on August 27th, 2017 by a jury following a trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork last year. He has no previous convictions.
Mr Justice Alex Owens noted that during the trial the accused man had given evidence that the young woman had been a “willing participant” but that the reality was different.
Breach of trust
He said she had been drinking and was in a comatose condition on the bed when the accused man had pulled down her jeans and raped her, before telling her not to tell anyone.
Mr Justice Owens said it had been a “gross breach of trust” and he had known full well she was in no condition to resist. He noted the accused man had then tried to “cover his tracks” and was fully aware he had taken advantage of a “semi comatose girl.”
Mr Justice Owens imposed a sentence of seven years imprisonment and ordered four years post release supervision.
'Dirty and violated'
In her victim impact statement, the now 21-year-old woman, said the offence had left her feeling vulnerable, as well as “dirty and violated.” She said she had spent a long three years trying to heal only to have to come to court and tell her story again.
She said everyone around her has been effected by the offence and a hole has been left in her family after she had not been believed by her aunt, whom she had grown up admiring.
She said she now hopes to put the offence behind her and hopes that he will never be able to do this to anyone again.
Siobhan Lankford SC, defending, said the accused man is still in a relationship with the girl's aunt and his family is supportive of him.
She outlined he had a good work history, but has lost his career as a consequence of his actions. She said he has not come to any garda attention while on bail.
