Harpenden man to be assessed for sex offender programme (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Oscar Abernethy-Cortez to be assessed for sex offender programme

12:47pm Friday 15th February 2013 in News By Court Reporter

A Harpenden man convicted of having sex with two girls is to be assessed for treatment on a sex offenders' programme.

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.

In February last year a jury was 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.

Abernethy-Cortez, of Bramble Close, Harpenden was brought back to St Albans Crown Court to be sentenced today/Friday but his barrister Denis Barry, asked for a three week adjournment for an assessment to be carried out on him for the Thames Valley Sex Offender programme.

Judge Martin Griffith adjourned sentence again telling Abernethy-Cortez that if he is suitable for the programme it can be carried out either in the community or in prison.

He said: "These are two very serious matters. The second offence was committed while you were on bail for the first."

At an earlier hearing the judge said Abernethy-Cortez had taken advantage of younger girls who needed to be protected.