Man denies sexual assault at Kildare stables
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A MAN charged with a sexual assault at a Kildare riding stables will have to return to court in September for a full trial after entering a plea of not guilty.
The defendant is charged with a single offence which is alleged to have occurred on 21 April last year.
The man appeared at a recent sitting of Naas District Court.
“Judge, the wife is looking to get in,” said the court garda, who was covering the door of the closed hearing.
“Does he want her in?” asked Judge Desmond Zaidan, and when the defendant said “yes”, the judge gestured to to grant her admittance.
“Judge, the injured party who was assaulted was a female at the stables giving riding lessons,” said Sgt Hanrahan.
“He touched her bottom, outside her clothes,” said the sergeant.
On hearing the level of the alleged assault, Judge Zaidan accepted jurisdiction (meaning the case will stay in the lower district court), and asked “connection?”
The court was told the defendant worked at the premises while the female was temporarily working at the stables.
“Give me a hearing date,” said the judge to the registrar.
After checking her calendar, the judge remanded the man — who cannot be named at this stage — on continuing bail under previously accepted conditions to 15 September for a full hearing.
