A Wexford man who drunkenly attempted to kiss a stranger in a nightclub has been ordered to pay €10,000 in compensation to his victim. Harold Stephenson, 25, of Larch Hill, Inch, Gorey, was convicted of assault at Gorey District Court.
Incident in Gorey Nightclub
The court heard that on December 10, 2023, Stephenson was on a night out with friends at 64 Nightclub in Gorey when the incident occurred. CCTV footage shown in court depicted Stephenson putting his arm around an older woman, who was out with family, and attempting to kiss her. The parties were not known to each other.
Accused Accepts Responsibility
Garda O’Farrell testified that Stephenson, due to his level of intoxication on the night, had no recollection of the event when he was arrested on February 23, 2024. However, after being shown the CCTV footage, Stephenson accepted responsibility and expressed remorse for his actions. Gardaí confirmed Stephenson was fully cooperative throughout the investigation and had only one previous road traffic conviction. Garda O'Farrell stated he had no ongoing concerns about Stephenson.
Justin McQuade BL, barrister for the defense, told the court that Stephenson, who had just completed his Master's degree, was of good character. Mr. McQuade read from Stephenson's interview statement where he denied any intent to "offend, upset, or assault" the woman, believing she would "see the funny side." However, he now understood his mistake and that not everyone shares the same sense of humour.
Victim Impact Statement Details Distress
Inspector Darragh Jennings read a victim impact statement from the woman, detailing the profound effect the incident had on her. She described feeling "stressed, angry, sad, and emotionally drained" since the night. The woman now experiences nervousness in social situations and has resorted to taking taxis home to avoid strangers on public transport. As a self-employed individual, she also suffered financially due to stress and sleepless nights, leading to missed workdays.
Mr. McQuade acknowledged that alcohol played a role in the regrettable incident but stressed that it did not excuse Stephenson's actions. He affirmed that Stephenson understood young men must behave appropriately. The barrister noted the victim's financial loss and stated Stephenson was prepared to offer €8,000 in compensation. He also highlighted Stephenson's cooperation and early guilty plea, which spared the victim from testifying.
Judge Condemns "Disgusting" Behaviour
Judge Kevin Staunton described Stephenson's actions as those of a "drunken yaw" upon reviewing the CCTV. He emphasized that alcohol was a significant factor and that the incident likely wouldn't have occurred without it. Judge Staunton characterized the matter as "quite disgusting" and highlighted how Stephenson's "obnoxious drunk behaviour was frightening" for the victim, noting he appeared "out of his mind with drink." Despite this, the judge accepted Stephenson's apology as genuine.
Judge Staunton concluded that Stephenson "did something incredibly stupid and horrible." He convicted Stephenson and ordered him to pay €10,000 in compensation to the injured party. If paid by September 1, Stephenson will be subject to Section 1(2) of the Probation Act, requiring him to enter a 12-month bond to be of good behaviour. He was also ordered to attend all engagements and programs directed by Probation Services concerning consent in physical contact. Judge Staunton warned Stephenson that any similar re-offense would result in a prison sentence, expressing hope that he would learn from this experience.
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