Two jailed for roles in 'savage' robbery and assault of trans woman

Eimear Dodd

Two people have been jailed for their roles in a “nasty” and “savage” robbery and assault of a trans woman earlier this year.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that both Bayleigh Fox (22) and Saoirse Richardson (22) were acquainted with the victim, but hadn't spoken with her for some time before this attack occurred.

Richardson arranged to meet the woman at Kilbogget Park in Cabinteely on the evening of March 31st last, where Fox then seriously assaulted her.

Jane McCudden BL, prosecuting, told the court the victim struggled to open her jaw to eat for three days, had to use a straw to drink for around seven days following this incident and has had issues with pain in her back and side since then.

The woman's Adidas runners and iPhone 12 were also taken in the incident.

Richardson, of Rollins Villas, Honeypark, Sallynoggin Co Dublin, came forward on signed pleas from the District Court to assault causing harm and robbery.

Fox, of Beechpark, Bray Road, Cabinteely, Co Dublin, came forward on signed pleas of guilty to robbery and assault causing harm aggravated by hatred.

The maximum sentence for assault causing harm aggravated by hatred is 12 years, while the maximum sentence for assault causing harm is 10 years.

In a victim impact statement read by Ms McCudden, the woman said this “ruthless crime” has left a scar which will take a long time to heal.

She said she has developed trust issues and PTSD. She said the defendants' attempt to humiliate her and the “torture inflicted on me” meant she required psychological assistance.

She said the “look of hatred” in their eyes will “haunt me forever”.

The woman also noted the impact on her family, particularly her mother, who worries when she goes out.

She said her life had been thrown off track by what happened.

“One should never have to endure this violent hatred for merely existing.”

Fox and Richardson made admissions when interviewed by gardaí and were apologetic. Three clips recorded by Richardson during the assault were shown to the court, in which Fox referred to looking for money in relation to an Xbox, asked the woman derogatory questions and used homophobic slurs.

Imposing sentence on Tuesday, Judge Martin Nolan said this was a “pretty savage attack”.

He noted the victim's “peace of mind has been considerably affected by what these defendants did”.

He said the court had viewed footage of the incident, which he described as “distressing”.

The judge said the motive for this offence and the relevance of mentions of an Xbox were unclear. He noted that Fox pleaded to assault causing harm, aggravated by hatred and that the court is “not sure” how big a part it played.

The judge said the context of the assault was “savage” and the victim was “lured” to a quiet area, then attacked.

He said it was a “serious matter” and a “nasty assault”.

He noted both defendants have “close to perfect mitigation”, but they “must endure a prison term by reason of this outrageous attack on this completely defenceless victim”.

The judge handed Fox an 18-month sentence and imposed a one-year sentence on Richardson.

Detective Garda Andrew Diamond gave evidence that Richardson contacted the injured party on Snapchat and arranged to meet her at Devil's Lane, Kilbogget Park in Cabinteely.

Shortly after the woman arrived, Fox emerged from bushes in the laneway and began to assault her.

During the assault, he punched her in the nose, face and side of her head. He also kneed her in the face, grabbed her hair and threw the side of her head into a stone wall.

Richardson made three videos on her phone to record what was happening.

The woman attempted to escape, but only got halfway down the lane before she was dragged to the ground, held by her throat and her pockets gone through.

Det Gda Diamond said it was difficult to say, but it is believed that Fox went through her pockets. She was also told to send Fox €500 using Revolut while he was punching her.

He put his arm around her neck and she couldn't breathe.

Richardson told Fox to stop, saying: “You are going to kill him.”

Fox stopped. The victim was held back against the lane. Fox punched her again and kneed her in the stomach area.

Det Gda Diamond told the court that Fox refers to getting money from the woman for an Xbox in the clips, which was sold some time before this occurred.

The victim went to the garda station later that evening and officers present noticed she was visibly shaken and had injuries to her face.

She went to hospital and was treated for bruising and abrasions to her head, bruising to her hips and legs and swollen knees.

Photos of her injuries were handed to the court.

Fox and Richardson's homes were searched the following day and they were both arrested. Both made admissions when interviewed, accepted responsibility for their roles and apologised.

Det Gda Diamond agreed with Fiona Pekaar BL, defending, that her client told gardai that the victim owed money to Fox and she arranged the meeting so Fox could sort it out with her.

Richardson told gardaí that Fox asked her to record it and said he would give the victim a few slaps.

It was further accepted that Richardson knew Fox was going to slap the woman, but the incident went further than she expected.

The garda agreed that Richardson can be heard in the clips asking Fox to stop.

It was further accepted that when asked by gardaí if she is homophobic, Richardson replied no and said she is bisexual. She also said she wasn't sober at the time.

Ms Pekaar told the court her client accepts this is a case of common design and that she was aware something was going to happen, but things went further than she expected.

Det Gda Diamond agreed with Brian Gageby BL, defending Fox, that his client told gardaí he had been taking cocaine and drinking for several days before this incident occurred.

It was further accepted that Fox said it was not his intention to rob the victim, that he described his behaviour as “disgusting” and accepted his actions were degrading and humiliating.

Fox denied targeting the victim because she was trans, instead saying he was out of his mind on drugs.

Both Fox and Richardson have issues with addiction, have undertaken rehabilitative programmes since this offence occurred and provided clean urine samples.

References were handed into court on behalf of both defendants and family members were present to support them.

Defence counsel asked the court to take into account their client's early guilty pleas, their young ages, co-operation and expressions of remorse. They asked for as much leniency as possible for their clients.

Ms Pekaar said her client's role was the lesser of the two and she is instructed that Richardson understood the reason for the meeting was financial and is very sorry for her role.

Mr Gageby submitted this was out of character and in interview found it “difficult to reconcile what he did with who he is”.