Today, Monday 9th September, a 63 year old man from the Republic of Ireland was sentenced at Londonderry Crown Court for sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault of an 18 year old woman.

Paul Bryan was sentenced to four years, two years in custody and two years on licence. Bryan was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years, as well as being subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. 

Detective Constable Buchanan from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Public Protection Branch said: “Paul Bryan took advantage of a vulnerable young woman who became separated from her friends, when she was trying to get home safely in his taxi in Derry / Londonderry in October 2017.

“This was a complex investigation and we would like to thank our colleagues at An Garda Síochána for their efforts and support with this case. I would also like to commend the survivor in this case for her bravery in reporting this incident to Police.

“The Police Service of Northern Ireland takes all reports of sexual assault seriously, and we urge anyone who has ever been the victim of sexual abuse to come forward and report it, regardless of where, or when it happened, safe in the knowledge that they will be treated with respect and dignity. Report to Police on 101 or in an emergency always dial 999.”