LISBON, Ohio - A Wellsville man convicted of molesting his girlfriends four year old daughter faced sentencing Thursday in Columbiana County Court.
After a two day trial, a jury took only an hour to find Brian Curran guilty of gross sexual imposition. The court allowed the jury to view video testimony by the young girl, who is now six years old.
"I think the testimony, by way of video deposition was very compelling, and it was quite significant in protecting the victim from any further trauma of having to testify in an open courtroom in the actual presence of the offender," said Timothy McNicol, Assistant County Prosecutor.
In recommending the maximum sentence of five years, McNicol asked the court to consider not only the physical injuries to the victim, but also the psychological and emotional impact.
"Unfortunately she's actually been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder as a result of the abuse in this case. She is making progress, but she still has a long way to go," said McNicol.
When ask if he had anything he wanted to say, Curran still did not take responsibility for the crime.
"I'm the innocent one here, I didn't do it," said Curran.
The judge sentenced Curran to four and a half years imprisonment and he must register as a Tier 2 sexual offender upon his release. Prosecutor McNicol is glad that Curran is going to prison but felt the penalty for this type of crime should be stronger.
"I think in any case of this nature, I think perhaps we need to take another look at the sentencing on this regard and perhaps impose or the ability of judges to give stiffer sentences," added McNicol.
Curran says he will appeal his conviction.
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