Man regularly raped girlfriend in her sleep, court told

Declan Conlon
PUBLISHED
06/07/2015 | 17:03SHARE
The Four CourtsOPEN GALLERY 1
The Four Courts
A man who regularly raped and sexually assaulted his girlfriend in her sleep wil
l be sentenced next Monday at the Central Criminal Court.
SHARE
The 25 year old Norwegian man pleaded guilty to one count of rape and one count
of sexual assault of a 28 year old Irish woman between 2011 and 2012.
Sergeant Patrick Keegan told Mary Rose Gearty SC, prosecuting, that the victim f
irst met the man in a bar on Dame Street, Dublin in 2011 and they began a relati
onship. They moved in together in December 2011, but she had problems with his m
asturbation and use of pornography.
His crimes first came to light in 2012 when the woman woke up to find herself we
t with what she believed to be semen.
She confronted her boyfriend who admitted he had had sex with her while she slep
t. She told him that it was a problem but the relationship continued.
A few weeks later she woke with the feeling that she had been penetrated to find
him masturbating and watching porn on his laptop beside her in bed. He later ad
mitted that he had regularly raped and sexually assaulted her in her sleep, ofte
n while she was under the influence of medication. The relationship ended.
In a subsequent email exchange between the victim and the man in which she asked
him to explain his actions, he made detailed admissions including raping her up
to ten times and touching her in her sleep up to three times per week throughou
t their relationship. These emails became the basis of a garda investigation in J
une 2012 and his computer was seized.
In the email he admitted that he had raped her, saying I guess it must be under t
en times . He also explained his behaviour, saying it is really difficult. I did it
for short term gratification. I convinced myself it was a victimless crime beca
use you were asleep .
I didn't want to hurt you, I just wanted to come. I used the fact I wasn't allowe
d watch porn or masturbate as an excuse, he said.
Now I've written this, you can have me prosecuted. I hope you won't, he said.
Reading her victim impact statement to the court, the woman said her life had be
en destroyed by the abuse. She said she had to give up her job and return to liv
e with her parents. She had attempted suicide and she suffered from post traumat
ic stress disorder, eating disorders and anxiety.
She said the man had been controlling and jealous of her relationships with her
family and friends. He had violated me in the sanctity of sleep and rest , and that
she was at first fooled that it was not really rape because it didn't fit with h
ow rape is often understood .
She expressed anger that an earlier incident of sexual abuse she suffered as a c
hild had been brought up by his legal defence as a contributing factor in her ps
ychological problems.
She also criticised the legal justice system, saying there was no regard for how
difficult it is for a victim of any crime, let alone something an heinous as sex
ual crime to come forward and tell their story.
Caroline Biggs SC, defending, said that the man and members of his family travel
led to Ireland six times at great expense to cooperate with the Garda investigat
ion. She said that psychological reports indicated he was at low risk of reoffen
ding and feels genuine guilt and remorse.
She asked Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy to take into account his guilty plea and h
is admissions both in the email and to garda, without which the case would have b
een all but impossible to prosecute, she said.
Mr Justice McCarthy remanded the man in custody for sentencing on Monday July 13
next.
Online Editors

Promoted Articles
Tributes to 'popular' Irishman (39) found dead in New Zealand
Tributes to 'popular' Irishman (39) found dead in New Zealand
Independent.ie
Sinister alliance of young turks behind Limerick's new gang war
Sinister alliance of young turks behind Limerick's new gang war
Independent.ie
Rosanna Davison jets to the Seychelles to celebrate first wedding anniversary wi
th Wes
Rosanna Davison jets to the Seychelles to celebrate first wedding
Independent.ie
Recommended by
Recommended Videos from
VIDEO: Britain's royal family make first appearance as family of four at Princes
s Charlotte's christening
VIDEO: Duchess of Cornwall suffers 'Marilyn Monroe' dress mishap
VIDEO - Adorable: Prince George smiles and peers into baby sister's pram at chri
stening... until it gets a bit much after the service
Read More
Garda investigation into life insurance polices worth 2.2m taken out on woman who
died in drowning tragedy in India
Garda investigation into life insurance polices worth 2.2m taken out on woman who
died...
Tim Healy A GARDA investigation is underway in relation to life insurance polici
es worth 2.2m taken out on a woman who died in a tragic drowning accident in Indi
a last year, the Commercial Court heard.
Mum of schoolgirl who missed 179 days over two years is fined 200
Mum of schoolgirl who missed 179 days over two years is fined 200
Tom Tuite The mother of a teenage girl, who missed 179 school days in two years,
has been fined 200 by Judge John O'Neill at Dublin District Court.
Brian O'Donnell and his wife Mary Pat
Court to decide on whether Brian and Mary Patricia O'Donnell have right to conti
nue...
Tim Healy A COURT will have to decide whether solicitor Brian O'Donnell and his
wife Mary Patricia have a right to continue with a counter-claim over Bank of Ir
eland's trespass injunction relating to their former family...
Most Read
Most Shared
Most Commented
The Four Courts
Man regularly raped girlfriend in her sleep, court told Courts
Garda investigation into life insurance polices worth 2.2m taken out on woman wh
o died in drowning tragedy in India
Garda investigation into life insurance polices worth 2.2m taken out on woman...
Courts
Former RSA chief executive Philip Smith and his wife Shirley leave the Employme
nts Appeal Tribunal, Dublin
RSA 'astounded' at 1.25m award at EAT to former Irish boss Courts
Clare Cullen, with her daughter, Lilly (4), leaving court
Girl (4) who broke wrist after fall from slide in creche awarded 15,000 Courts
Judge's gavel.
Three teens jailed for roles in aggravated burglary Courts
Promoted articles
Manchester United transfer news: Robin van Persie 'agrees deal' with Fenerbahce
Manchester United transfer news: Robin van Persie 'agrees deal

Independent.ie
Cash is king in Greek resorts
Cash is king in Greek resorts
Independent.ie
Recommended by
Editor's Choice
Andres Alvarado and Michael Taylor, revealed to be the Good Samaritans who hand
ed over spare tickets for free
'Knights in shining armour' delighted they could help out AC/DC fans sold fake t
ickets
The kind-hearted duo who...
Michal Kwiatkowski of Poland and Etixx-Quick Step (L) rides through the rain wi
th the peloton during stage two of the 2015 Tour de France, a 166km stage betwee
n Utrecht and Zelande, on July 5, in Zelande, Netherlands (Bryn Lennon/Getty Ima
ges)
Nicolas Roche: I knew that if I braked I'd crash, if I didn't I'd hit the kid
Nicolas Roche Tour de France diary
Five looks we love from River Island's Autumn/Winter collection
Time to cull your wardrobes - as you're more than likely...
Also in Irish News
Sinn Fin President Gerry Adams
Gerry Adams among senior Sinn Fein members in bomb threat scare
SINN Fin has claimed a number of bomb threats have...
Man dies following two car collision in Co Wicklo
Man dies following two car collision in Co Wicklow
A man has died following a two vehicle collision earlier today.
John Moyles
Gardai seek public's help in locating missing John Moyles (23)
Gardai in Salthill wish to seek the public s assistance in tracing...
Man swam across River Boyne in bid to flee gardai after crashing car
Man swam across River Boyne in bid to flee gardai after crashing car
A man who swam across a river in Meath in an attempt to flee...
Minister Brendan Howlin, whose department said it had effectively halved paid s
ick leave for public sector staff
Public sector sick days cost 320 million in 2014, with workers averaging nine...
Irish tax-payers forked out almost 320 million to cover the nine...
Irish Bookmakers Association wants a closer a relationship with racing industry
Irish Bookmakers Association wants a closer a relationship with racing industry
The Irish Bookmakers Association has said that it wants a closer...
Former Irish Rugby international Trevor Hogan speaking at a 'Solidarity for Gre
ece' protest in Dublin Credit: Tony Gavin
'I'm willing to stand for Sinn Fein' says former rugby star Trevor Hogan
Former Leinster rugby star Trevor Hogan would stand as a...
Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan
Senior Fine Gael Minister backs proposal to increase dole for under 26s
A SENIOR Fine Gael politician has lent his support to a proposal...
Former RSA chief executive Philip Smith and his wife Shirley leave the Employme
nts Appeal Tribunal, Dublin
RSA 'astounded' at 1.25m award at EAT to former Irish boss
HOME and motor insurer RSA said it was astounded at a massive...
Independent TD Mick Wallace made the claims in the Dil
NAMA to appear before PAC over sale of Northern Ireland loan book
THE National Assets Management Agency (NAMA) will come...
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our
use of cookies. See our PRIVACY & COOKIE POLICY
NEWS
Irish News
World News
Opinion

Weather
News Topics
BUSINESS
Irish
World
Technology
Personal Finance
Small Business
Farming
Commercial Property
Media
SPORT
Soccer
GAA
Rugby
Golf
Horse Racing
Greyhounds
Other Sports
LeftField
LIFE
Food & Drink
Travel
Motoring
Health & Wellbeing
Family
Home & Garden
STYLE
Celebrity
Fashion
Beauty
Sex & Relationships
Weddings
LookBook
Competitions
ENTERTAINMENT
Movies
Television
Music
Games
Radio
Books
Theatre & Arts
Festivals
Trending
Coffee Break
FOLLOW
CONTACT
Independent.ie Go