Latest news with #CriminalLaw
CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
Sexual assault trial highlights issue of legal definitions of consent
Video Criminal lawyer Gillian Hnatiw says she will be listening closely to the judge's reasons behind her verdict.
Sunday World
7 days ago
- Sunday World
Co Donegal businessman admits sexually assaulting 15-year-old girl
The accused cannot be named at this stage of proceedings A Co Donegal businessman has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. The man, who is in his 40s, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court. The accused, who cannot be named at this stage of proceedings, spoke only to plead guilty. He pleaded guilty to assaulting the girl by touching her on her breast and her vagina through her clothing. A second count was taken into consideration. The court was told the married businessman, who is also a father, employs a number of people in his business. He has no previous convictions. Letterkenny Circuit Court. Photo: North West News Pix News in 90 Seconds - July 23rd The court was told that the victim now resides outside of the country but was present in court for the brief arraignment. The charge is contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990. Ms Fiona Crawford BL, prosecutor for the State, said that the guilty plea to the count of sexual assault met the case on a full facts basis. Barrister for the accused man, Mr James McGowan SC, with Mr Peter Nolan BL, instructed by solicitor Mr Donough Cleary, said his client is a businessman with 'a number of employees'. The man's barrister requested a full Probation and Welfare Report on his client before final sentencing was passed. Judge Roderick Maguire granted the request and adjourned the case until October for sentencing. The victim, who was accompanied to court by a number of family members, was told she could attend the sentencing by videolink.
Irish Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish businessman pleads guilty to sexually assaulting 15 year-old girl
A Co Donegal businessman has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. The man, who is in his 40s, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court. The accused, who cannot be named at this stage of proceedings, spoke only to plead guilty. He pleaded guilty to assaulting the girl by touching her on her breast and her vagina through her clothing. A second count was taken into consideration. The court was told the married businessman, who is also a father, employs a number of people in his business. He has no previous convictions. The court was told that the victim now resides outside of the country but was present in court for the brief arraignment. The charge is contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990. Ms Fiona Crawford BL, prosecutor for the State, said that the guilty plea to the count of sexual assault met the case on a full facts basis. Barrister for the accused man, Mr James McGowan SC, with Mr Peter Nolan BL, instructed by solicitor Mr Donough Cleary, said his client is a businessman with 'a number of employees'. The man's barrister requested a full Probation and Welfare Report on his client before final sentencing was passed. Judge Roderick Maguire granted the request and adjourned the case until October for sentencing. The victim, who was accompanied to court by a number of family members, was told she could attend the sentencing by videolink. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Daily Mirror
18-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man in court charged with communicating with 'girl' aged 13 for sexual purposes
A man has appeared in court charged with trying to communicate with a child for sexual purposes in Co Donegal. The accused man, who is in his 20s, was brought before Letterkenny District Court by detectives. Judge Eiteain Cunningham heard how the man used both Snapchat and Whatsapp to communicate with whom he thought was a 13-year-old child. The accused man, who is a professional and in his 20s, cannot be named for legal reasons. When arrested, the man was found in possession of five condoms while 'other sexual paraphernalia' was found in a property. Messages found on the man's phone allegedly claim how he asked the 'girl' if she was a virgin and if they could have sex in an apartment he had rented. It follows allegations against the accused man, which were widely shared on social media. The man was charged by detectives in Donegal at 4.07pm on Wednesday, July 16. The man was charged that, between July 10 2025 and July 15 2025, both dates inclusive, within the State, did by means of information and communication technology, namely Snapchat and WhatsApp, communicate with another person for the purpose of facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child under the age of 17. The charge is contrary to section 8 (1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that An Garda Siochana were objecting to bail. He said there was 'quite a lot of strong evidence' in the matter. Sergeant Collins said that detectives had obtained copies of conversations between the accused man and what was described as 'a fictional child', who he believed was 13 years of age on Snapchat and WhatsApp. The man, with an address in the Dublin area, had booked an apartment in Letterkenny for a number of days. Gardai also seized other items and documents from the man's vehicle. Sergeant Collins told the court that there were concerns that the defendant would attempt to flee the jurisdiction and not make himself available to be dealt with by the law. He said there were concerns that, if released on bail, the man could commit further offences of a similar nature. The man has no previous convictions and has never been before the court on other matters. The man's solicitor, Mr Rory O'Brien, told the court that his client has a first class honours degree from an Irish university. Until recently, the man was in active employment, but is now unemployed. The court heard that the accused man would have 'no difficulty' in handing his passport to the authorities. Mr O'Brien told Judge Cunningham that bail could be considered with conditions attached. Sergeant Collins said that evidence has been put to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the form of information obtained from the accused's phone and said that 'this is very strong evidence of his communication with what he thought to be a 13-year-old female'. Judge Cunningham said that she had carefully listened to the evidence and submissions. She said that the accused has the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. However, Judge Cunningham found the prosecution to have established a likelihood of the accused trying to evade justice. The man was remanded in custody to appear before a future sitting of Letterkenny District Court. Under new law introduced in 2024, persons charged with such offences are entitled to anonymity until they are convicted or the restriction is otherwise lifted by a Court. Judge Cunningham directed that a publication order should remain at this time. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Trial delays forcing innocents to spend years in prison: Chief Justice of India Justice BR Gavai
HYDERABAD: Stating that India and the legal system are facing unique challenges that require urgent attention, Chief Justice of India Justice BR Gavai on Saturday asserted that the country has the talent to find solutions. Speaking at the 22nd Annual Convocation of NALSAR University of Law, the CJI said: 'Delays in trials can sometimes last decades. There are cases where individuals have been declared innocent after spending years in jail as undertrials. Our best talent can help resolve such issues.' Justice Gavai noted the disparity in perceptions surrounding legal graduates, saying a student from a national law school in a metro city is often considered better placed than one from a smaller university. 'This is not necessarily because of skill, but perception. It is unfair, but real. We need to confront it, not accept it,' he said. The CJI stressed the importance of core legal subjects such as the Constitution, Contract Act, Code of Civil Procedure and Criminal Law, stating that there is no shortcut to legal knowledge and no alternative to knowing the basics. He also referred to the rapid changes in law due to emerging areas like artificial intelligence and data privacy. Addressing the growing trend of pursuing foreign degrees, the CJI said such qualifications have become symbols of validation. 'If you wish to go, go. It teaches you how the world thinks. But go with scholarship and funding. Go with purpose, not pressure. I see young lawyers taking loans of `50–70 lakh for this. Do not put yourself or your family under such a burden. A foreign degree alone is not a stamp of your worth.' Justice Gavai said the trend also reflects a deeper structural concern, that of a lack of confidence in India's postgraduate legal education and research. 'If we want to keep our best minds or bring them back, we must create nurturing academic environments, offer transparent and merit-based opportunities, and most importantly, restore dignity and purpose to legal research and teaching in India.' SC Judge Justice PS Narasimha, CM A Revanth Reddy, Acting CJ of the Telangana HC were present.
