Man and woman attacked, robbed and violated victim in Waterford City
Dalton denied sexually assaulting the victim.
A man was attacked, robbed and assaulted on the streets of Waterford City on St. Stephen’s Day.
On the evening of December 26, 2024, Waterford City Gardaí received a call to attend an incident at Merchant’s Quay.
At the scene, they spoke to the injured party who had been attacked while walking down the Quay. The victim said that he had been followed and attacked by Philip Jordan and Victoria Dalton.
Jordan, (33) of no fixed address and Dalton (29) of Fisherstown, Campile, New Ross, Co. Wexford, pleaded guilty to assault and robbery of a man.
Detective Garda Stephen Burke outlined the facts of the case to Judge Eugene O’Kelly at a recent sitting of Waterford Circuit Court.
Dalton and Jordan tailed a man known to them from Waterford Bus Station down towards Merchant Quay. Outside the Gold Rush Casino, Jordan punched and kicked the man unprovoked, bringing him down to the ground.
His trousers and pants were pulled down while he was on the ground. Dalton forcibly inserted her fingers into the man’s anus. According to her defence, she was searching for drugs. CCTV footage from the Gold Rush Casino showed the attack.
Jordon then stole the man’s necklace and phone.
Two days later, Gardaí arrested the pair after being called to an address in Ferrybank relating to a domestic incident. Gardaí found Jordan wearing the man’s necklace and holding his phone. Dalton denied to Gardaí that she had sexually assaulted the victim. Dalton has 14 previous convictions, including possession of drugs for sale and supply and handling stolen property. She was on bail at the time of the offence.
Jordan has 59 previous convictions including assault and threats to kill.
The victim declined to make an impact statement.
Dalton claimed that she and Jordan had travelled to Dublin with the victim to buy drugs.
Defence counsel Sarah-Jane Comerford BL told the court that Dalton was a single mother to three young children and had sought self-employment in the ‘beauty industry’. Ms Comerford said that she was ‘exceptionally apologetic’ for her actions and offered ‘no excuses’. According to Dalton, all three parties were using heroin together on the bus ride back from Dublin.
Judge O’Kelly said: “That version of events is not supported by the victim.”
Ms Comerford told the Court that Dalton was in recovery for her addiction and that a custodial sentence would hamper her progress.
Judge O’Kelly told Ms Comerford: “This Court has a duty of care to the victim that your client sexually assaulted and robbed violently.”
The matter will be re-visited in April.
Defence counsel Donnchadh Morgan BL said that Jordan had lived a "challenging life’" growing up in a family impacted by alcohol addiction. Jordan has four children but their relationship is ‘blighted by addiction’.
Mr Morgan said that his client pleaded guilty and had remorse over his actions.
Judge O’Kelly imposed a six year sentence with the final four years suspended for four years. Jordan will be under probation supervision for that period.
