TERENCE WELDREDGE'S SHOCKING SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN DUBLIN: MAN SENT MENACING PICTURES TO 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Dublin, a 43-year-old man named Terence Weldredge from Castlekevin Road, Coolock, was brought before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to face serious charges related to the harassment and exploitation of a young girl.Over a period spanning several months, Weldredge engaged in a pattern of disturbing behavior, which included sending explicit images and menacing messages to a 13-year-old girl, as well as attempting to manipulate her into sexual activity.
According to court records, Weldredge admitted to carrying out these acts, which involved persistent harassment, sexual exploitation, and the sending of threatening messages.
The court was informed that over just two days, he made an astonishing 273 attempts to contact the girl, demonstrating a relentless pattern of predatory behavior.
The offences took place between September 2011 and January 2012, a period during which the young girl was subjected to ongoing distress.
The victim, in her impact statement, described the profound emotional toll that Weldredge’s actions had on her.
She reported feeling harassed around the clock, which severely affected her ability to sleep and concentrate at school.
She revealed feelings of depression and loneliness, compounded by teasing from her peers about the messages she received.
The girl also recounted a traumatic incident where she attempted to take her own life, only to be saved when her brother unexpectedly walked in on her.
Judge Mary Ellen Ring, presiding over the case, sentenced Weldredge to a three-year prison term.
However, she suspended the final 18 months of this sentence on the condition that Weldredge continues to engage in psychotherapy or other rehabilitative services as directed by the Probation Services.
The court also heard that Weldredge himself attempted to take his life after being caught, and that he suffers from mental health issues linked to drug abuse.
His defense team highlighted his low intellectual capacity and expressed remorse for his actions.
Garda Katie Flood provided further details during the proceedings, explaining that Weldredge first contacted the girl in September 2011 via text message.
He claimed to have found her number written on a bus and falsely stated he was 15 years old.
The communication quickly escalated, with the girl sending him a fully clothed photograph of herself at his request.
Weldredge then began to ask for phone sex and sent her explicit images, including a photograph of a man in a balaclava holding a gun.
He also expressed a desire to have sex with her and even offered to buy her alcohol.
At one point, Weldredge sent her a picture of a teddy bear with the words “I love you,” followed by a disturbing request for her to “have his baby.” Despite knowing she was only 13, he continued to pursue her.
In January 2013, he sent her a photo of his face, revealing that he was not a teenager as he had claimed.
The girl responded by calling him a liar and telling him to stop contacting her.
Nevertheless, over the next two days, Weldredge made an astonishing 272 calls and texts, only ceasing when she reported the matter to Gardaí and her phone was seized.
Weldredge was subsequently arrested, during which he made some admissions.
He claimed to believe the girl was around 20 years old and stated that he could not remember what he said to her because he was under the influence of ecstasy at the time.
In a remorseful tone, he told Gardaí, “I feel like I made a prick of myself, like a paedophile.” His defense lawyer, Una Ní Raifeartaigh SC, argued that Weldredge’s troubled upbringing, marked by institutional abuse, had a lasting impact on his mental health.
She explained that his substance abuse issues were a consequence of this background and highlighted his limited intellectual and social abilities.
The judge, acknowledging his cooperation with authorities and efforts to address his substance abuse, decided to suspend the remaining 18 months of his sentence, emphasizing the importance of ongoing therapy and rehabilitation.
