MAN JAILED FOR 'SUSTAINED AND PERSISTENT' SEXUAL ASSAULT
Emmett Deehan, aged 33 and residing at Fahan Court, received a custodial sentence of five years and eight months, with the sentence split equally between imprisonment and supervised release.Additionally, he was mandated to register on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and to adhere to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for ten years.
Derry Crown Court detailed how, on October 27 last year, a 58-year-old woman was the victim of a prolonged and violent sexual assault in the Brandywell area.
The assault was characterised by significant violence and cruelty.
During the attack, Deehan, also from Fahan Court, restrained the woman with a headlock, pulled her into an alleyway, and committed sexual assault.
He also struck her head against a wall and the ground and punched her in the face.
Evidence revealed that the attack's brutality was so severe that bloodstains were found on the surrounding wall and on the ground where the assault occurred on Lecky Road.
The woman sustained injuries including a genital trauma, extensive bruising and swelling on her face, bleeding and cuts across her arms, torso, and buttocks, and multiple scalp wounds.
A prosecutor told the court that the assault was aggressive and persistent, taking place in the early hours while the victim was walking home.
Deehan, who previously had 72 convictions, approached her and initially asked for a cigarette; when she refused, he assaulted her by placing her in a headlock and dragging her to the alley.
Once there, he covered her mouth, sexually assaulted her by removing her clothing, and committed further violence.
The woman told police she believed she was about to die during the attack.
Police recovered multiple doorbell camera clips that clearly identified Deehan, showing him fleeing the scene after hearing a nearby voice asking, “what’s wrong,” and showing the injured woman bloodied.
Deehan later surrendered to police following appeals, initially denying the offenses but ultimately pleading guilty at court last September.
DNA evidence found on scrapings from the victim and on her clothing linked Deehan to the assault.
Blood on her coat matched his DNA, and his DNA was discovered on her pants.
After the assault, Deehan visited his then-partner's residence on Strand Road, carrying a red rose.
CCTV footage captured him discarding his coat, which was later retrieved by police.
Defense lawyer Eoghan Devlin KC expressed that Deehan wanted to convey remorse and shame for what he called a "horrendous act." Judge McCormick commended the victim’s resilience and noted that her persistence was key to bringing Deehan to justice, who had his guilty plea acknowledged as total vindication for her.
In sentencing, the judge imposed five years and eight months in prison, with terms split equally between custody and supervision.
Deehan was also ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely and to comply with a ten-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order.
