Woman used as 'sexual toy' after Belfast Tinder meeting

A 25-year-old man who treated a woman he met on Tinder as a "sexual toy" has been jailed for eight months.

Fearghall Joseph Mulgrew of Mullaghmoyle Road, Stewartstown pleaded guilty to sexually and physically assaulting the woman on 14 March 2021.

At Belfast Crown Court on Monday, the judge said the Mulgrew subjected the woman to a "degrading and frightening" experience.

He was given a 22-month sentence, of which he'll serve 14 on licence.

Warning: Some readers may find parts of this article distressing

The court was told Mulgrew was a student in Belfast when he met the complainant on the dating app in March 2021.

It was agreed the woman would come to his accommodation for "rough" intercourse at 03:00.

The woman said it was not something she had done before, but she agreed to try it and the pair had consensual sex.

No 'reasonable grounds for consent'

During the act, Mulgrew then began biting various parts of the woman's body.

Despite telling him to stop as the bites were painful and too much, Mulgrew continued.

The woman then got up and went to the bathroom, and when she returned Mulgrew bit her on the shoulder and her pubic bone.

She then kicked him and told him to stop. However, he continued to assault her.

The case was heard at Belfast Crown Court on Monday

Judge Mark Reel told the court it is accepted by his plea Mulgrew had "no reasonable grounds to believe she was consenting".

In a medical examination, a doctor noted the woman had multiple bite marks on her body, as well as internal injuries.

A victim impact statement said the woman had problems "for a long time" since the assaults, and the judge hoped the conclusion of proceedings would provide her with comfort.

Moral compass 'lost'

Mulgrew said in a pre-sentence report that alcohol was not an issue, but had consumed some when the offences occurred.

He said he had found the roughness "thrilling, exciting and arousing" but was "embarrassed" by his actions the following day.

A probation officer noted he failed to show regard for the woman's level of upset at the time of the incident, but displayed a level of victim empathy on reflection of his behaviour.

It was acknowledged Mulgrew had no previous convictions and had not offended since.

"It is frequently said that an offence is out of character and I accept that it is here," the judge said.

"I think it is generally unlikely that he will reoffend and I am inclined to accept that he moved from a settled and parochial environment to the city and a student life.

"He found himself drinking and socialising as a student in a manner that meant that suddenly he was experimenting in new forms of behaviour and relationships, and that for a period of time he lost his moral compass."

Mulgrew initially denied the offences, but later pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault and five counts of occasioning actual bodily harm.

'Gross sexual and violent act'

Handing down his sentence, the judge noted the degree of violence, the "prolonged nature" of the assault, and Mulgrew continuing after "consent was withdrawn".

"You committed a gross sexual and violent offence," he said.

"The victim was subjected to a degrading and frightening assault upon her.

"She was used as a sexual toy whose personal integrity and feelings were entirely subservient to your sexual desires."

He imposed a 22-month sentence and added during his sentence on licence, Mulgrew will be asked to take part in programmes designed to address his behaviour.