25/07/2012

Former Barrister Jailed For 'Creepy' And 'Sexual' Messages

A former barrister has received a three-year jail term for leaving "creepy" and "sexually intimidating" voicemail messages on a younger colleague's mobile phone.

50-year-old Paul McLoughlin, from the North Circular Road originally pleaded not guilty but then admitted what he had done after two days of evidence at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

The victim, 30-year-old Lorcan Staines, received more than 120 messages over four years.

62 of the voicemails were played during the trial.

McLoughlin ignored warnings to stop from the gardaí and the Bar Council and continued leaving messages even after he was subsequently arrested and charged.

For a time his bail was revoked and he was put in custody.

During sentencing, Judge Patricia Ryan said she took into account that McLoughlin had with the messages after being warned and arrested and that Mr Staines had to go through giving evidence. She sentenced the former solicitor to three years in prison with the last year suspended.

(H)




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