By Dominique Tassell
Prominent Warwick stock agent George McVeigh has been sentenced to 18 months in prison, to be suspended after eight months.
The district court found McVeigh sexually assaulted a woman at her home on 31 January 2021.
A victim impact statement was presented to District Court Judge Craig Chowdhury, with crown prosecutor Catherine Birkett stating that the assault had “a significant impact on the complainant and her (health)”.
Ms Birkett stated that while McVeigh had not been found guilty of the charge of attempted rape, the alternate charge of assault with intent to rape is still a very serious charge.
Defence barrister Tony Glynn KC advocated for a wholly suspended sentence, stating that “this is a man with an impeccable history…and significant community contributions”.
He noted the support McVeigh had received from his family during the trial, and their presence after the verdict had been read out.
Mr Glynn also noted the impact the death of a close friend had on McVeigh and presented four character references to the court.
Judge Chowdhury stated that the charge of assault with intent to rape is indeed serious and would prevent him from suspending the sentence in its entirety.
“A woman is entitled to feel safe wherever she is but particularly in her own home on her own property.”
The complainant was “clearly not a willing party” in the assault, Judge Chowdhury said.
“You just kept going.”
He stated that McVeigh’s sentence must deter other parties from committing similar offences.
Men must keep their hands to themselves regardless of whether they’ve had a few beers, he said.
Judge Chowdhury said McVeigh was “otherwise an outstanding member of the local community”.
“You’ve let yourself down, let your family down.”
McVeigh was sentenced to 18 months in prison, to be suspended after eight months.
He was initially charged with four counts of sexual assault, one count of rape with an alternate charge of sexual assault, and one count of attempted rape with an alternate charge of assault with intent to rape. He was found not guilty of rape and attempted rape, but guilty of the alternate charges of sexual assault and assault with intent to rape respectively.
Of the remaining four sexual assault charges, McVeigh was found guilty of two while one was dropped during the course of the trial and the jury could not reach a decision on the other.
The matter was heard in the district court over five days, with McVeigh pleading not guilty to all charges.
