| PRISON
SENTENCE FOR MAN CONVICTED OF REPEATED RAPE
A 19-YEAR PRISON sentence has been handed down to
a Hemel Hempstead man convicted of the repeated rape
of a young girl and sexual assault of another.
Thomas Glasheen, 50, who lived in Wood View in the
town was found guilty of rape, attempted rape, indecent
assault and ABH at St Albans Crown Court on Friday.
During the trial the court heard about a catalogue
of sexual abuse and violence meted out by Glasheen
on two girls in the 90s after he moved from Limerick
in Ireland.
The defendant was already in custody serving an eight-year
sentence for robbing three old ladies of their handbags
in Hemel Hempstead.
Glasheen was nearing the end of the sentence and from
the witness box claimed the victims had only come
forward because they knew he had recently "come into
money" from a compensation payout.
But the jury found Glasheen guilty of a total of 18
sexual and violent offences committed against the
girls between 1993 and 1998, when they were aged nine
to 14 years old.
Sentencing Glasheen to a total of 19 years' imprisonment,
Judge Stephen Gullick said: "You have an extensive
record for offences including GBH and burglary and
are no stranger to prison.
"I have read a letter from your sister which goes
into your own background.
"You were very young when you were abused by Brothers
with a capital ‘B' at the establishment where you
were educated.
"You have no convictions for sex assault, but the
jury today [Friday] after very careful consideration,
have convicted you of 18 counts on the indictment,
committed in the UK between 1993 and 1998.
"I make it clear that that the sentence is for these
offences alone, although during the course of the
trial we have heard of offences that occurred in 1992
when you were living in the Irish Republic.
"They cannot and have not featured in the sentencing
process.
"After your release you must sign on the sex offenders'
register for life and are prohibited from working
with children."
Judge Gullick added: "I have no doubt you are a drunken
and violent sexual predator.
"The emotional scars will remain with [your victims]
for ever."
As Glasheen was being led away by the dock officer
to begin his sentence, he turned to where the jury
sat, shook his head slowly and said: "I didn't do
anything wrong."
February 2010
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