Court hears of youth’s horror attack on teen after she rejected his advances

He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and has been warned that he is facing a possible sentence of up to one year. The case was adjourned for a final updated probation report on him to be obtained.

The Dublin Children’s Court heard the unprovoked attack happened after they met through Facebook friends.

The court was told he walked with her from the city-centre, however, he made an advance which was spurned by the girl at which she was punched and kicked in the head a number of times. She was bleeding and hospitalised with head and facial injuries which required stitches, the court was told.

The girl has provided a victim impact statement, and Judge John O’Connor has remarked she had a “horrific time and a life changing experience”. He described as moving the girl’s statement and the impact of the attack on her life.

He said while the court had to take the teenager into account in sentencing, he stressed that he also had to consider the victim as well the public perception of how the court deals with such offences

The court has heard that the youth, now aged 18, who had substance misuse issues, had no prior criminal convictions and has not come to Garda attention since.

Since the teenager entered a guilty plea earlier this year he had missed appointments with the Probation Service which had been asked to provide the court with a pre-sentence report.

Defence counsel had said the youth struggles to express himself and is to take part in counselling.

At one stage, the teenager had tried to write a letter of apology to the victim but was unable to do it, counsel said. “While he acknowledges his actions, he has an awkwardness with expressing emotions,” his barrister had said.

He is about to start a training course and is enthusiastic about the placement, counsel said.

Judge O’Connor has said a letter of apology was not sufficient and the teenager had already been warned at earlier that he risked facing a 12-month sentence.