DARREN O’DRISCOLL JAILED IN JERSEY FOR INDECENT EXPOSURE TO YOUNG GIRL

In May 2014, Darren O’Driscoll, a 39-year-old man from Jersey, was sentenced to a 12-month imprisonment at the Royal Court after being convicted of indecently exposing himself to a young girl. The court’s decision was heavily influenced by the judge’s statement that O’Driscoll’s actions had caused lasting trauma to the victim, describing the incident as having 'scarred the girl for many years.'

Outside the courtroom, the girl’s mother expressed a mixture of relief and disappointment. She stated, 'That the sentence has brought to an end a living nightmare for the family.' She further added, 'We are happy he got a custodial sentence, but losing a year of his life is fairly low proportion when you compare the amount of my child's life that is going to be affected by this.' The mother concluded by saying, 'We are relieved it’s over. The past months have been a living nightmare.'

O’Driscoll was found guilty of one count of gross indecency following a five-day trial held the previous month. The court heard that he, a removals man, had taken off his trousers and boxer shorts and exposed himself to a young girl while he was alone with her during the summer of the incident. The jury, composed of five women and seven men, deliberated for only two hours before reaching a unanimous verdict of guilty on the charge of gross indecency.

During the proceedings, the court was informed that O’Driscoll had denied all charges. However, evidence presented showed that he had admitted to the act of gross indecency to both detectives and a clinical psychologist. He also confessed to the crime while giving evidence in court. The jury cleared him of a second charge of exposing himself and two more serious allegations, which involved allowing the girl to touch him inappropriately and exposing himself in a different context.

In his defense, O’Driscoll’s lawyer, Advocate James Bell, requested that his client be sentenced to 18 months of probation. The defense argued that psychological and social inquiry reports indicated O’Driscoll was at a 'likely risk' of being bullied if imprisoned. The court, however, ordered that he be placed on the sex offenders register for at least five years. During this period, he will be prohibited from being alone with anyone under the age of 16.

In April 2014, prior to the conviction, O’Driscoll faced a possible jail sentence after being found guilty of exposing himself to a young girl at a property in St Helier. Although he was cleared of two more serious charges—allowing the girl to touch him inappropriately and exposing himself in another incident—the court found him guilty of one count of gross indecency. The trial, which lasted five days, culminated in a verdict delivered by a jury of five women and seven men, who took just two hours to reach their decision.

During the trial, the court heard that O’Driscoll had taken down his trousers and underwear and exposed himself to the victim. He admitted to the act during police interviews and also confessed in court, claiming that he had done so because the girl had 'pestered him.' His defense argued that his police statement was unreliable because he was not accompanied by an 'appropriate adult' during the interview, which he claimed was necessary due to his vulnerability.

The Deputy Bailiff, William Bailhache, presided over the case and indicated that O’Driscoll could face a jail term when sentenced on May 15th. An application to remand him in custody until sentencing was denied, although Bailhache warned him not to 'take it lightly' that he was being granted bail. The defense’s request for an additional psychological assessment was approved.

Following the verdict, the victim’s family issued a statement expressing their disappointment. They said, 'We are really disappointed by the verdict. The past few months have been very distressing for us. The stress we have been under can’t really be described. We are pleased we have got one guilty verdict but we feel it should have been two.'