Ireland Case No. 7058Sexual exploitation of a child; production of child pornography · Co. Dublin
Former swimming coach jailed for three years over camera set up to film girls changing
Matthew Coward, a 32-year-old man from Shantalla Drive, Santry, Dublin, and a former swimming coach, set up a camera in his office to film three young girls changing. The offences took place between September 2021 and February 2022, and a Garda investigation began after one girl told her father she thought she had been recorded. Coward pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three counts of sexual exploitation of a child and three counts of production of child pornography, and he has one previous conviction. On 21 November 2023, Judge Orla Crowe imposed concurrent sentences of four and three years, with the final 12 months of the four-year term suspended, which was reported as a three-year jail term.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced21 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A former swimming coach set up a camera in his office to film young girls changing.
- Where
- Matthew Coward is from Shantalla Drive, Santry, Dublin, in County Dublin.
- Other details
- Matthew Coward is a 32-year-old man.
- Coward has one previous conviction and has expressed remorse for his actions.
- Victim impact statements from two of the three girls were read to the court, and one girl said her life changed from the moment she found the camera.
- The maximum sentence for sexual exploitation of a child is life in prison, and the maximum for production of child pornography is 14 years.
- When
- The offences took place between September 1, 2021, and February 26, 2022.
- Investigation
- One of the girls told her father she thought she had been recorded while changing, which led to a Garda investigation and the discovery of videos on Coward's devices.
- Two of the videos were categorised as child abuse material and a further seven were deemed inappropriate.
- Charges
- Coward pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of three girls and three counts of production of child pornography.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, and the judge said the offence was a considerable abuse of trust.
- Sentence
- The judge said headline sentences of six years for the sexual exploitation charges and five years for the production charges were warranted.
- After considering his guilty plea and remorse, Judge Orla Crowe imposed concurrent sentences of four and three years, with the final 12 months of the four-year term suspended on strict terms.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA former swimming coach set up a camera in his office to film young girls changing. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe accused is from Shantalla Drive, Santry, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences took place between September 2021 and February 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationOne of the girls told her father she thought she had been recorded while changing, which led to a Garda investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationTwo of the videos were categorised as child abuse material and a further seven were deemed inappropriate. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of three girls and three counts of production of child pornography. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge said the offence was a considerable abuse of trust. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge said a headline sentence of six years was warranted for the sexual exploitation charges and five years for the production charges. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceAfter considering his guilty plea and remorse, the judge imposed concurrent sentences of four and three years. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe final 12 months of the four-year sentence was suspended on strict terms. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe has one previous conviction. (irishtimes.com)
- otherVictim impact statements from two of the three girls were read to the court. (irishtimes.com)
- otherOne girl said her life changed from the moment she found the camera. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe maximum sentence for child exploitation is life in prison, and 14 years for production of child pornography. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused has expressed remorse for his actions. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 21 Nov2023Swimming coach who set up camera to spy on young girls changing jailed for three years
Sentencing report. Judge Orla Crowe imposed concurrent sentences of four and three years, with the final 12 months of the four-year term suspended. Offences were committed between September 2021 and February 2022.
convicted, Matthew Coward, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cowardvictim, femalevictim, femalevictim, female