Harpenden rapist faces psychiatric reports
PSYCHIATRIC reports are to be prepared on a Harpenden man convicted of having sex with two girls.
Oscar Abernethy-Cortez, 20, was found guilty of assault by penetration on a 15-year-old girl he met through Facebook in July 2010.
He was bailed after his arrest for that offence and in December of that year had sex with a 14 year old in a car. That led to his conviction for sexual activity with a child.
Prosecutor George Heimler told St Albans crown court on Monday that in February this year a jury had been unable to agree its verdict on a charge that Abernethy-Cortez had raped the 15-year-old girl.
A retrial had been set for the Old Bailey but the prosecution had decided not to proceed.
You may also want to watch:
Abernethy-Cortez, of Bramble Close, Harpenden, was brought back to St Albans Crown Court to be sentenced on Monday.
His barrister Denis Barry said the offences were carried out a “considerable time ago” when Abernethy-Cortez was much younger. He said he had now spent 17 and a half months in custody with the offences themselves dating back to 2010.
Most Read
- 1 Planning permission granted for 45-home London Colney development
- 2 City centre road closures are blocking ambulances, meeting hears
- 3 11 of the prettiest streets in St Albans
- 4 Man in his 80s dies after collision between lorry and mobility scooter
- 5 Classic cars raise money for three Harpenden charities
- 6 Anti-vaxers condemned for intimidating behaviour and dangerous posters
- 7 Campaign to save Harpenden pub which teamed up with Wheathampstead Indian restaurant
- 8 Remembering one of Hertfordshire's best-known estate agents
- 9 Foodies lap up tastes of Harpenden
- 10 Traffic chaos caused by Redbourn Road works
Mr Barry said Abernethy-Cortez had the support of his adoptive father who was in court and had sent the judge a reference. “His father says he had learnt his lesson. He behaved in a disgraceful and predominately immature way and manipulated relationships.”
Judge Martin Griffith adjourned sentence to 15 February for psychiatric reports and remanded Abertnethy-Cortez in custody. He said he had taken advantage of younger girls who needed to be protected.
