36-year-old admits raping woman in Derry park

A man has admitted raping a woman in St. Columb's Park in 2014.
The courthouse at Bishop Street, Derry.The courthouse at Bishop Street, Derry.
The courthouse at Bishop Street, Derry.

James Frickleton, who is originally from Limavady, had initially denied the charge.

However, he applied to be re-arraigned and admitted his guilt.

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The 36-year-old, whose address was given on court papers as no fixed abode, also pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the woman on October 19, 2014.

Derry Crown Court heard Frickleton has a relevant previous conviction in the Republic of Ireland.

A prosecutor said there were ‘significant similarities’ between what happened in St Columb’s Park and that incident.

Adjourning sentencing for a probation pre-sentence report, Judge Gemma Loughran said the defendant ‘will get some credit for his plea of guilty but not as much if he had made admissions during interview.’

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She added she would ‘take into consideration’ the fact he had spared the victim the ‘trauma’ of giving evidence in a trial.

The court was told a victim impact report would be compiled on the injured party.

A psychologist report will also be provided to the court about the defendant.

Frickleton was remanded in custody to appear in court again on June 17.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ register. The length of time Frickleton will remain on the reigister will be determined at the next hearing.