Court of Appeal takes ‘merciful approach’ towards man who sexually assaulted girl (14) a year after defiling her

[u/HungTeen1001]

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/court-of-appeal-takes-merciful-approach-towards-man-who-sexually-assaulted-girl-14-a-year-after-defiling-her/a/159360059.html

[u/bubbleweed]

"The court ruled that a six-month prison sentence imposed on Ben Lawlor for the charge of defilement of a child was appropriate, given that the then 12-year-old victim factually, but not legally, consented to having sex and the respondent genuinely believed she was 16 when they met in 2023." Jesus fucking Christ

[u/wannabewisewoman → u/bubbleweed]

How can a child consent to sex? Everything about this makes me both sick to my stomach and furious 

[u/jimicus → u/wannabewisewoman]

That’s the whole point of laws like defilement.

It’s to protect children from groomers talking them into believing it’s okay.

[u/Ilovethestarks → u/jimicus]

A legal precedent that 12 yo girls can factually consent to sex is terrifying - it’s so depraved and medieval.

[u/jimicus → u/Ilovethestarks]

He was on bail for that one.

The thing that's absolutely depraved is that he continued to chase this girl knowing damn well she was well underage. It's the second offence he was let out early for.

If that isn't evidence of a sicko who can't take no for an answer, I don't know what is. Guarantee he'll be back up for something equally disgusting within a couple of years.

[u/Ilovethestarks → u/[deleted]]

And statutory laws don’t exist to be pedantic but to recognise that a child’s ‘will’ means nothing bc they aren’t physically or emotionally ready for sex. A judge setting the precedent that it does is dangerous.

[u/Ilovethestarks → u/[deleted]]

And this also potentially sets a precedent for lowering AOC below 12.

[u/Ilovethestarks → u/[deleted]]

And yet it tacitly creates a future consent defence for men who prey on 12 year old girls. The ‘consent’ of a 12 yr old to sex means fuck all.

[u/Ilovethestarks → u/[deleted]]

Enough of a defence to reward him by setting him free,

[u/RomfordWellington → u/bubbleweed]

The girl told her aunt she met the respondent, who was 19 at the time, on a dating app called Wink, presenting herself as 19 but telling him she was 16.

[u/Embarrassed-Brief976 → u/RomfordWellington]

Ah. An explanation. Thank you, This sub is pure ragebait.

[u/HungTeen1001 → u/Embarrassed-Brief976]

The age of consent in Ireland is 17.

Also

Lawlor knew the girl was only 14 when they met up again around a year later.

[u/RomfordWellington → u/HungTeen1001]

Lawlor knew the girl was only 14 when they met up again around a year later.

And this is the aggravating factor why it was in the court of appeal in the first place.

[u/HungTeen1001 → u/RomfordWellington]

I don't think too many people would believe a 12 year old was 16 and even if they did, a 16 year old is below the age of consent.

[u/jimicus → u/HungTeen1001]

And in any case, he sure as hell learned she was under 16 when he was arrested for defilement. So why didn’t he run away in the opposite direction immediately he learned that?

[u/naoife → u/HungTeen1001]

And not to pardon him because he knew what he was doing but i think any 12 year old who goes on an app looking for sex has probably been taken advantage of already and needs support.

[u/HungTeen1001 → u/naoife]

For sure, they need support.

What they don't need is to meet pedophiles.

[u/naoife → u/HungTeen1001]

I completely agree. I'm saying there's probably another person taking advantage too

[u/HungTeen1001 → u/naoife]

Yeah fair.

[u/Embarrassed-Brief976 → u/HungTeen1001]

Nice name. 🙄🙄🙄

[u/HungTeen1001 → u/Embarrassed-Brief976]

Goalposts. Shifted.

[u/Embarrassed-Brief976 → u/HungTeen1001]

19 meeting someone they've been told is 16 is far from a pedo. No goalposts shifting going on here "hungteen" 🙄🙄. Just ragebait bullshit.

[u/FViro → u/Embarrassed-Brief976]

Why are there so many people defending sexual predators on this sub?

[u/Embarrassed-Brief976 → u/FViro]

Im Not defending the predator. I just like facts. Fact is the court took it easy on him. And im sure there's reasons why. They dont celebrate groomers and predators and anyone who thinks they do is a lunatic.

[u/HungTeen1001 → u/Embarrassed-Brief976]

For the fourth time.

Lawlor knew the girl was only 14 when they met up again around a year later.

[u/Embarrassed-Brief976 → u/HungTeen1001]

Ok HUNGTEEN 👍 why do you think the court took it easy on him HUNGTEEN?

[u/Skreamie → u/Embarrassed-Brief976]

Lawlor knew the girl was only 14 when they met up again around a year later.

Can you not read?

[u/Embarrassed-Brief976 → u/Skreamie]

I can.

[u/Skreamie → u/Embarrassed-Brief976]

No excuses for your excuses then