Case No. 0530Rape, oral rape, assault causing harm · Co. Westmeath · 2 Feb 2021
Joseph Jessop jailed for 10 years for raping estranged wife in Co Westmeath
Joseph Jessop, 45, formerly of Newtown, Tyrellspass, Co Westmeath, was convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court in May 2026 of raping and orally raping his estranged wife Tracey Jessop on 2 February 2021, raping her again on 29 March 2021, and assaulting her in November 2020. The couple, who married in 2008 and had six children, had been separating by 2018 but still shared the same house. After the March 2021 attack, Jessop contacted the HSE and social services with complaints about her drinking and the state of the house. On 24 July 2026, Judge Sean Gillane sentenced him to 10 years' imprisonment, reducing a headline sentence of 11½ years, backdated to his conviction in May 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced24 Jul
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- In November 2020, Jessop grabbed Tracey Jessop by the hair, pinned her down, punched her around five times to the back of her head, and headbutted her, and she was hospitalised with swelling to her face, a cut over her ear, and a bruise to the back of her head.
- On 2 February 2021, when she refused his demand for sex, he picked her up, threw her on her bed, raped her and orally raped her over a period of about 90 minutes.
- On 29 March 2021, she tried to elbow him off and crawl away, but he pinned her down and raped her.
- Where
- The offences took place in the couple's shared home in Newtown, Tyrellspass, Co Westmeath.
- When
- The incidents occurred in November 2020, February 2021, and March 2021; the trial and conviction were in May 2026; sentencing was on 24 July 2026.
- Investigation
- Tracey Jessop made a complaint to gardaí, and under questioning Jessop initially claimed no sexual activity for at least three weeks, then said there was consensual sex when DNA evidence was put to him.
- Charges
- A jury at the Central Criminal Court convicted Jessop in May 2026 of rape and oral rape on 2 February 2021, rape on 29 March 2021, and assault causing harm in November 2020; he had denied all charges.
- In court
- The trial was held at the Central Criminal Court in May 2026.
- Sentence
- On 24 July 2026, Judge Sean Gillane set a headline sentence of 11½ years, reduced to 10 years, backdated to May 2026.
- Other details
- The couple met in their teens, married in 2008, had six children, and ran a business together; by 2018 the relationship was ending but they continued to share the house.
- After the March 2021 attack, Jessop contacted the HSE and social services and made complaints about her drinking and the state of the house.
- Jessop has six previous convictions, the most serious for common assault, and became addicted to cocaine, losing the business.
- Tracey Jessop waived her right to anonymity so her former husband could be named.
35 statements extracted from the articles
- whatIn the first assault, Jessop grabbed her by the hair, pinned her down, punched her around five times to the back of her head, and headbutted her. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatIn February 2021, when she said no to his demand for sex, he picked her up, threw her on her bed, raped her and orally raped her. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe February 2021 incident lasted about 90 minutes. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatIn March 2021, she tried to elbow him off and crawl away, but he pinned her down and raped her. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereJoseph Jessop is formerly of Newtown, Tyrellspass, Westmeath. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe woman made a complaint to gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was convicted of rape and oral rape on 2 February 2021 (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was convicted of rape on 29 March 2021 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was convicted of assault causing harm in November 2020 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was convicted of raping her on 29 March 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was convicted of assault causing her harm in November 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA jury at the Central Criminal Court convicted Jessop in May 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury at the Central Criminal Court convicted him in May 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceJoseph Jessop was jailed for 10 years (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Sean Gillane set a headline sentence of 11½ years, reduced to 10 years (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe sentence was backdated to when Jessop was convicted in May 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe couple met in their teens, married in 2008, and had six children (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherThey established and ran a business together (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherBy 2018 the relationship was coming to an end but they continued to share the same house (irishtimes.com)
- otherIn the November 2020 assault, Jessop grabbed her by the hair, pinned her down, punched her around five times to the back of her head and headbutted her (irishtimes.com)
- otherShe was hospitalised with swelling to her face, a cut over her ear and a bruise to the back of her head (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherDuring the February 2021 incident, he demanded sex, picked her up, threw her on her bed, raped her and orally raped her for about 90 minutes (irishtimes.com)
- otherAfter the March 2021 attack, Jessop contacted the HSE and social services and made complaints about her drinking and the state of the house (irishtimes.com)
- otherUnder questioning, Jessop initially claimed no sexual activity for at least three weeks, then said there was consensual sex when DNA evidence was put to him (irishtimes.com)
- otherJessop has six previous convictions, the most serious for common assault (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe became addicted to cocaine and has since lost the business (irishtimes.com)
- otherTracey Jessop waived her right to anonymity so her former husband could be named (irishtimes.com)
- otherJessop had denied all the charges (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim said she suffered stress and anxiety from defending herself against false allegations to Tusla and the gardaí (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe denied all the charges. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBy 2018 the relationship was coming to an end. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAfter the attack, Jessop contacted the HSE and social services and made complaints about her drinking and the state of the house. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherJessop initially claimed there had been no sexual activity for at least three weeks. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherWhen DNA evidence was put to him, he said there was consensual sex. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe had no convictions prior to the breakup of the relationship. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 25 Jul2026Marital rape victim tells court she had to fight 'false allegations'
Reports the sentencing of Joseph Jessop to 10 years (headline 11.5 years reduced) for rape, oral rape and assault of his estranged wife, including details of the victim impact statement, the judge's remarks on his demeanour at trial, and the aggravating factor of his false complaints to Tusla after the attack.
victim, Tracey Jessop, female, irish (judged from name)Tracey Jessopconvicted, Joseph Jessop, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Jessop - 24 Jul2026Woman raped in marriage and targeted by ‘false allegations’ sees former husband jailed
Reports the sentencing of Joseph Jessop to 10 years' imprisonment, including details of the victim impact statement, the judge's reasoning, and the circumstances of the offences.
victim, Tracey Jessop, female, irish (judged from name)Tracey Jessopconvicted, Joseph Jessop, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Jessop