A homeless man who raped a 15-year-old Co Kilkenny girl who was also living rough in Dublin has been jailed for six years by Mr Justice Carney at the Central Criminal Court.
Francis Maugham (35), a father of one, formerly of Victoria Street, Rialto, pleaded guilty to raping the girl in a lane way off Grafton Street after midnight on March 9th, 1997. He was extradited from England last June on the charge.
He threatened to cut her up with a broken glass if she did not consent. Det Sgt Gerard Russell told Mr Patrick Marrinan SC, prosecuting, that the victim had known Maugham as "Franco".
Maugham had asked the girl to go for a walk and talk with him. In the laneway he tried to kiss her but she pushed him away. Det Sgt Russell said Maugham told her she was "very stubborn" and said he would batter her unless she pulled down her pants.
When she refused and he held the glass to her saying: "For the sake of your nice soft skin do as I say or I will ruin your face". He also said he would slice her up and cut her throat unless she performed oral sex on him. She did but then made her escape and called the gardai.
Det Sgt Russell said he met the victim at about 2.30 a.m. She was very distressed and said "Franco" had raped her. Soon afterwards she pointed out Maugham to gardai. He denied her allegation and said they had had consensual sex.
Maugham had 10 previous convictions, including three years' jail for burglary and one year for indecent assault in England. He had a drug and drink problem.
The girl said the rape had left her feeling "insecure, ugly and stupid". She thought everyone was looking at her and had not found counselling helpful.
Mr Justice Carney said Maugham raped a very vulnerable girl. He would have been disposed to treat the rape at the lower end but for the threats. He suspended the last 15 months because Maugham had not occupied a trial date.