Victim speaks after coercive control rapist who targeted women through dating sites gets 17 years

A man convicted of rape, assault and coercive control has been sentenced to 17 years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court. Dean Ward targeted the woman through an online dating site in May 2019, moving into her home in Killybegs, County Donegal, where he subjected her to a six-week campaign of violence and psychological control. Justice Kerida Naidoo imposed an 18-year sentence for the most serious rape offence, suspending the final year, and a concurrent four-year term for coercive control. Ward, formerly of Wexford, was convicted in 2022 of twelve offences including three counts of rape, assaults, false imprisonment and making threats to kill. The judge found the victim's consent to sexual intercourse was secured through fear and force. Following his arrest by armed gardaí in July 2019, Ward maintained his innocence. Outside court, the victim spoke of receiving support from An Garda Síochána and encouraged others in abusive relationships to seek help. Ward has previous convictions for assault and false imprisonment dating to 2016.