A man who raped a young woman after a night socialising has been jailed for six years.
Owain Plumb (37), who has worked in IT in Ireland for the past decade, raped the woman as she slept on a couch in his apartment. The woman had earlier in the night “rebuked” him for touching her in an unwanted manner.
Plumb, originally from Wales but with an address at The William Bligh, The Gasworks, Dublin 4, was convicted following a trial at the Central Criminal Court earlier this year of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault of the woman at his apartment on January 11th, 2020.
Plumb, who has no previous convictions, maintains his innocence. He has been in custody since May.
Ms Justice Melanie Greally said the offences had been a breach of trust and hospitality. She noted the young woman had previously “unambiguously rebuked” Plumb and lack of consent had been expressed. She said the rape was “opportunistic” and a “sexual violation” of a sleeping person.
She imposed a headline sentence of eight years and eight months, before taking into account mitigation.
Ms Justice Greally noted factors including his lack of previous conviction and positive evidence of his previous good character. She also took into account steps taken by him to rehabilitate, the support of his family and his favourable employment history.
She imposed a sentence of seven years imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended.
Detective Garda Tara Power told Patrick Gageby SC, prosecuting, that Plumb and the woman were unknown to each prior to meeting while socialising in Dublin city centre on the evening in question.
The woman, Plumb and a number of others in their company returned to Plumb’s apartment where further alcohol and some cocaine were consumed.
During the course of the evening, Plumb had touched the woman’s bottom during a “group hug” and she told him in no uncertain terms it was not welcome.
The court heard others left the apartment and the woman remained with Plumb and two males. One male left at about 6am and the woman fell asleep on the couch, with Plumb on an inflatable mattress on the floor.
The woman said she had fallen asleep in a seated position but when she was awoken she was in a different position, with her face pressed into the sofa. Her trousers were pulled down to her knees and as she came to full awakening, she realised Plumb was raping her.
He moved to turn her to face him and uttered an expletive when he realised she was awake. He backed away, and she left the apartment in a state of distress. She was aware he had also attempted to anally penetrate her and had digitally penetrated her vagina.
She realised she had left her iPad, her main means of communication, behind her and, with the assistance of one of the other males who had been in the apartment, she went back to look for it.
She encountered Plumb, told him he was evil and punched him in the face. She was unable to find her iPad, but it was later recovered in a damaged condition on the ground beneath Plumb’s apartment. Gardaí were alerted and Plumb was arrested.
A victim impact statement from the woman was handed into court but not read aloud.
Fiona Murphy SC, defending, said Plumb was a family man with a good work history. He has been in Ireland for the past 10 years. His family are supportive. She said he does not accept his guilt.
Ms Murphy said Plumb has abstained from drink and drugs since the night in question.
She said a probation report places him at moderate risk of offending in circumstances where he is maintaining his innocence. Counsel said Plumb is now on the sex offenders register which will cause him difficulties.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
