Ireland Case No. 16648Aggravated sexual assault · Co. Limerick · 25 Aug 2020
Limerick man jailed for aggravated sexual assault at Raheen Business Park
On August 25, 2020, a woman who was giving a lift to Gerard Ward, a 48-year-old man from Limerick, was sexually assaulted at Raheen Business Park in Limerick, and she bit part of his tongue off during the attack. Ward was later convicted by a jury following a trial of aggravated sexual assault. On July 12, 2024, he was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court and jailed for five years, with the final six months of a five-and-a-half-year term suspended. The judge's sentencing remarks are the latest development reported.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced12 Jul
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A woman bit part of Ward's tongue off during the sexual assault.
- The woman bit down on Ward's tongue as he kissed her, then escaped the car and called emergency services after spitting out the piece.
- Where
- The offence took place at Raheen Business Park, Limerick.
- When
- The offence took place on August 25, 2020.
- Cause
- The court heard that Ward threatened the woman, who was giving him a lift, with rape before sexually assaulting her.
- Charges
- Ward was convicted by a jury following a trial of aggravated sexual assault.
- In court
- Sentencing took place at the Central Criminal Court; one report places the sitting in Dublin and another in Limerick.
- Sentence
- On July 12, 2024, Ward was jailed for five years for the attack.
- The judge reduced a headline sentence of seven years by 18 months to five and a half years' imprisonment, suspending the final six months.
- The suspended portion reflected Ward's acceptance of the jury verdict and his general expression of remorse.
- Other details
- Ward has previous convictions for robbery, road traffic and drugs offences.
- Ward claimed that the kissing was consensual and that he made no threats.
- The judge said the threat of rape was taken seriously and that the woman was vulnerable and new to the area.
23 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA victim bit off part of her attacker's tongue during an aggravated sexual assault. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatThe woman bit down on Ward's tongue as he kissed her and then escaped the car. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatThe woman spat out the piece of tongue and then called emergency services. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatThe victim bit off part of her attacker's tongue during the attack. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe assault took place at Raheen Business Park. (limerickpost.ie)
- whereThe offence took place at Raheen Business Park in Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe assault occurred on August 25, 2020. (limerickpost.ie)
- whenThe offence took place on August 25, 2020. (limerickleader.ie)
- causeWard threatened the woman with rape before sexually assaulting her. (limerickpost.ie)
- causeWard threatened the woman with rape before she was sexually assaulted. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeWard was convicted by a jury of aggravated sexual assault. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeWard was convicted by a jury following a trial of aggravated sexual assault. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtSentence was passed at the Central Criminal Court, with the judge sitting in Dublin. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceWard was jailed for five years for the attack. (limerickpost.ie)
- sentenceThe judge reduced the headline sentence of seven years by 18 months and imposed five and a half years' imprisonment. (limerickpost.ie)
- sentenceThe final six months of the sentence were suspended in light of Ward's acceptance of the jury verdict and general expression of remorse. (limerickpost.ie)
- sentenceWard was jailed for five years. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed five and a half years' imprisonment and suspended the final six months. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherWard has previous convictions for robbery, road traffic and drugs offences. (limerickpost.ie, limerickleader.ie)
- otherWard claimed that the kissing was consensual and that he had made no threats. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherWard claimed the kissing was consensual and that he made no threats. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe judge said the threat of rape was taken seriously and the woman was vulnerable and new to the area. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Jul2024Limerick man loses part of his tongue in sex assault - court hears
Reports the sentencing of Gerard Ward at the Central Criminal Court on 12 July 2024, including the sentence length, the suspended portion and the court's comments on culpability and aggravating factors.
convicted, Gerard Ward, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gerard Wardvictim, female - 12 Jul2024Attacker loses part of tongue in sex assault in Limerick
Reports the sentencing of Gerard Ward at the Central Criminal Court, the trial verdict, the judge's remarks, the sentence and suspended portion, and the victim's bite to his tongue. No earlier report of this case is in the existing list.
convicted, Gerard Ward, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gerard Wardvictim, female