Man who repeatedly stamped on pregnant girlfriends head is jailed – The Irish Times

Lance Dempsey is escorted from Cavan Courthouse following his sentencing for the attack on his pregnant girlfriend. Photograph: Lorraine Teevan

A man who who kicked and stamped on his pregnant fiances head 17 times in a vicious and unprovoked drink-fuelled attack, has been jailed for nine and a half years at Cavan Circuit Court

In sentencing Lance Dempsey (28) on Friday to 11 years with the final 18 months suspended, Judge John Aylmer said the defendants guilty plea came in the face of overwhelming evidence in what the judge described as a persistent and sustained attack.

Dempsey left his former partner Sonia Lee with lasting brain damage following the attack at the bottom of a stairwell at the Chilli Lounge restaurant in Cavan town on March 16th, 2018.

Passing sentence, the judge said CCTV footage of the attack made for difficult viewing.

It was only while Ms Lee was fighting for her life in hospital, having suffered broken bones in her face and bleeding on the brain, it was discovered she was 15 weeks pregnant.

Despite the extent of her injuries, treatment for which included 10 days in a coma in ICU, Ms Lee went on to give birth to a healthy boy.

Her sister Aisling Lee previously told the court Ms Lee will never live independently again, or fully care for her young baby or other son without assistance.

Dempsey, who previously lived with Ms Lee at Aughnaskerry Drive in Cavan town, is in Cloverhill Prison.

Cavan Circuit Court last week heard details in mitigation for Dempsey.

Risn Lacey SC for Dempsey said the death of his mother precipitated his spiralling abuse and addiction to both alcohol and drugs.

The barrister reminded the judge of the defendants very early plea and at the earliest possible stage.

She said the relationship between Dempsey and Ms Lee had been a meaningful one.

There was an audible tut from the public gallery where several members of Ms Lees family were sitting after Ms Lacey offered the defendants apology.

He had little or no recollection of what happened that fateful night, said Ms Lacey, who said the only plausible excuse her client had for his behaviour was intoxication.

The barrister highlighted Dempseys admissions in Garda interview after CCTV of the attack was replayed to him. He stated he was disgusted by his actions, and felt like a scumbag. He also found the CCTV distressing to watch. He has no idea or recollection of how the argument started, what it was over, or how it began, said Ms Lacey, who believed his remorse to be heartfelt.

She reminded the court of Dempseys actions directly after the attack, as he fled the scene saying: What am I after doing?, before asking a nearby taxi rank operator to call an ambulance.

The passing of his mother in 2009, said Ms Lacey, was a catalyst.

It saw Dempsey develop a detrimental association with drugs and alcohol, which then spiralled into addiction.

In 2013 he was abusing heroin, as well as antidepressant tablets.

But he was now using his time in prison well, attending any and every course available, is drug free and was attending a counsellor.

Dempsey has spent 27 months behind bars since first going into custody following the attack .

Aisling Lee, sister of Sonia Lee addressed the media outside the Cavan court to say No prison sentence is ever going to justify what he done to Sonia, he has taken Sonias quality of life, and ours but now he will finally pay.

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Man who repeatedly stamped on pregnant girlfriends head is jailed - The Irish Times