A MAN accused of the sexual assault of his female cousin has told his trial that he has a condition described as “sexsomnia”.
The 26-year-old man said he recognised the symptoms when he watched a TV documentary about the condition which showed sufferers sexually assaulting and beating up their partners while asleep.
It is alleged that on the night of August 11th, 2009, while sleeping in his cousin’s flat in Dublin, the accused got into her bed, pulled her pyjamas down and ejaculated on her.
The man has pleaded not guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a charge of sexual assault.
The father of three yesterday said that he believed he had a condition which caused him to physically and sexually attack his pregnant girlfriend in his sleep.
“I know I have something where sleep is concerned. I can’t sleep in my own room. I’m afraid I’m going to hit her or sexually assault her in my sleep. I’m afraid I might hurt the baby.”
Anne Rowland, prosecuting, asked him: “Does sexsomnia mean that if you get yourself drunk and you jump on someone, you’re not responsible?”
The trial previously heard from the man’s partner that there were many occasions where he could not recall having sex with her the previous night.
He agreed with Ms Rowland that he was drunk on the night of the alleged sexual assault.
“I don’t think it’s an excuse for anyone who is drunk to sexually assault someone,” he said.
The accused told gardaí that he did not remember anything from the time he went to sleep on the floor of his cousin’s bedroom until he woke up in her bed.
Ms Rowland put it him that he left the house the following morning without speaking to his cousin because he knew what had happened and he felt guilty.
The trial continues this morning at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury of two women and 10 men.