A man has been jailed for six years for abandoning another man who later died from strangulation and suffocation following their sado-masochistic sexual activity.
Liam Jameson pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to recklessly engaging in conduct in which there was a danger of death. He was originally charged with the manslaughter of John Lees (65) at his home at Vavasour Square, Sandymount, Dublin, between December 2nd and 4th, 1998, but the State did not proceed with that count.
Jameson (36), originally from Woolwich, London, with an address at Synnot Place, North Circular Road, Dublin, also pleaded guilty to stealing jewellery, wine and cash to a total value of £17,000, and to taking Mr Lees's car. Judge Elizabeth Dunne described Mr Lees's death as "horrendous, sordid and repugnant" and said it was clear from Jameson's statement to gardai that he had anticipated Mr Lees could die but yet had abandoned him. She noted that Jameson was jailed in 1986 for 12 years in Belfast for the attempted murder and rape of an eight-year-old girl. He had lived in various parts of the Republic since his release without coming to Garda notice. He gave details in a letter to the court of a troubled background.
Det Supt P.J. Browne told Mr Shane Murphy, prosecuting, that when he was found dead by his cleaner on December 4th, Mr Lees was wearing women's underwear and was tied by his hands to a couch leg. There were wire ligatures interlaced with a pearl necklace around his neck and his mouth was gagged. Det Supt Browne said a fingerprint found on a glass matched Jameson's and a mobile telephone number was traced to him. He had used the name "Liam Cannibal" for the phone.
Jameson was kept under surveillance for some days before being arrested. He made two statements and some memos in which he revealed he came into contact with the victim through a classified advertisement in Hot Press magazine. They arranged to meet on the evening of December 2nd in a bar near Tara Street DART station.
Det Supt Browne said Mr Lees arrived dressed as a woman and brought Jameson to his flat where they engaged in sexual activity. Mr Lees wanted Jameson to "humiliate" him and Jameson explained to gardai the procedure Mr Lees requested him to use to tighten the ligatures. He found Mr Lees was breathing heavily and choking and realised he was struggling. He took the jewellery, wine, cash and car key, and left.
Jameson told gardai Mr Lees's death would always be on his conscience. They had met for a sexual experience and no money changed hands.
Det Supt Browne agreed with Mr Fergal Foley, defending, that the evidence indicated that everything done was with Mr Lees's consent and under his direction. The Hot Press advertisement was placed by Mr Lees and replied to by Jameson.
Det Supt Browne said property valued £7,000 had been recovered, and he accepted Jameson's claim that he dumped a £15,000 watch in a garbage bin.
The Assistant Chief State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, said one of the ligatures, allied to suffocation by the gag, caused the death. There was no evidence of struggle against the bindings.
Dr Cassidy said asphyxiation caused greater sexual arousal. The post mortem revealed old internal throat scarring, indicating Mr Lees had probably engaged in that type of sado-masochistic activity before.
Judge Dunne recalled that an English MP, Stephen Milligan, died in a similar type of autoerotic situation.