July 2012 Student found guilty of masturbating beside boy in bedroom A Saudi Arabian language student who masturbated in the bedroom of a sleeping boy during a “weak moment” has been given a suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Abdullah Hamoud (23), with an address at Aungier Street in the city centre, pleaded guilty to sexual assault of the 14-year-old boy on July 14, 2011. He has no previous convictions. Judge Martin Nolan said it was a disturbing incident but that the act was at the lower end in the range of sexual offences and there was reason to believe he would not re-offend. He noted Hamoud had little sexual education and said although he did not intend to harm the boy, what he did was a crime. Judge Nolan imposed an 18-month sentence which he suspended on strict conditions. Garda Colin Noonan told Cormac Quinn BL, prosecuting, that Hamoud, who was known to the boy’s family, had entered the bedroom while the child was asleep. He stood in front of the bed and masturbated. The boy woke up to see Hamoud walking away and noticed there was semen on his bed sheets. He realised what had happened and called Hamoud back but he did not return. He later asked Hamoud about the semen but he told the boy he did not know what it was. The boy told his mother about the incident and Hamoud was arrested. A DNA profile taken from the semen on the bed matched that of Hamoud. Hamoud told gardai he had “practised a secret act” in the boy’s room and was regretful. He said it had been “a weak moment”. Gda Noonan agreed with John Gallagher BL, defending, that Hamoud was quiet and cooperative and had not at any stage tried to persuade the boy not to tell his parents. Mr Gallagher said Hamoud had been orphaned at a very young age and had never ascertained exactly what happened to his parents although he believed there may have been a car accident. Counsel said Hamoud’s material needs had been provided for in Saudi Arabia as he grew up and he had spent time in a number of institutions. Hamoud received a scholarship from the Saudi government to attend a language school in Ireland to improve his English. Mr Gallagher said Hamoud had received little sexual education growing up but he was aware at all times that his behaviour in the boy’s room was wrong. He submitted that the incident was an isolated one. The defence handed a forensic psychologist’s report into court and said it appeared the incident had arisen out of emotional and sexual insecurity and confusion rather then a deliberate scheme.