A Raphoe man was jailed today at Letterkenny Circuit Court for three counts of sexual assault on a young girl.
Richard Blackburn, (57) with an address of Carnone, Raphoe, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently, with the last 12 months suspended for 12 months.
Blackburn, a member of Raphoe Congregational Church, was involved with a youth club, when the offences took place.
The court heard the offences occurred over a period from 2000 to 2002, when the victim was aged between 13 and 15-years-of-age and was entrusted in the care of Blackburn.
A victim impact statement was read to the court by the woman, Rachel McAauley, who waived her right to anonymity.
Handing down his sentence, he said: “Going to prison is not something that happens lightly. The loss of dignity and being confined without liberty will be difficult for someone to face going to prison, especially for an older person who has never been to prison before.
“However, I cannot overlook the breach of trust; that this young girl was in your care and you abused that trust.”
Judge John O’Hagan also ordered Blackburn be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.
See Friday’s Donegal News for the full story.
Letterkenny Courthouse
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