Man (38) jailed for sexually assaulting girl who worked for him

A young woman who was the victim of a sexual assault is urging all victims to report sex crimes to gardaí “as soon as possible.”

“It’s scary but definitely, come forward. It’s 100 per cent worth it. I came forward as soon as I could. I’m really glad that I did,” Ms Brooke Coleman (18) told the Roscommon Herald after her abuser, Paul Baker, (38), formerly of Main Street, Gurteen, was jailed at Sligo Circuit Court for sexually assaulting her when she worked as a waitress for him two years ago.

Ms Coleman said while the legal process was lengthy, “the wait was worth it.”

“He gets what he deserves now.” The victim waived her right to anonymity so that her abuser could be named.

On January 22nd last Baker, formerly of Main Street, Gurteen, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault of a minor on May 11th-12th, 2024. Five days later Baker, who ran the award-winning ‘Paul’s Retro Eats’ food truck in Boyle was named Connacht Chef of the Year 2026 at the Irish Take-Away Awards.

At Sligo Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Keenan Johnson suspended the final nine months of Baker’s three year sentence for three years post release.

Prosecuting, Mr Leo Mulrooney BL instructed by Ms Elisa McHugh, led Sergeant Helen Munnelly through the State evidence earlier. She outlined that in May 2024 Ms Coleman was 16 years old and had been employed by Baker as a waitress at The Crossbar pub he briefly ran in Gurteen.

After closing time on May 11th, 2024, Baker allowed Ms Coleman and a barman to stay on at an in-house Eurovision party and have a few drinks. Ms Coleman’s father texted her at midnight to say he was waiting outside in his car to bring her home and she replied that she was on her way.

When she appeared at 12.20 a.m. he noticed something was wrong as soon as she got into the car.

When pressed as to why she was upset, the victim said something “stupid” had happened at work but said no more. On Monday, May 13th, 2024, Ms Coleman confided in her parents and they immediately rang the gardaí. She attended the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in Galway on May 14th. Gardaí searched the bar on May 15th and CCTV footage of the incident was harvested and Baker’s phone seized. Ms Coleman later said she had not told her parents about the assault at first because her younger sister’s First Holy Communion was taking place the next day and she didn’t want to spoil the day.

Specialist Garda interviews were carried out in which the victim alleged that after the barman had left, just as she was walking out the door to her father, Baker pulled her back by the top of her shorts and told her he didn’t want her to get sick in her father’s car. He had his arm around her and put his hands down inside her underwear and touched her private parts three times within 20 minutes.

In a bid to escape the assault, Ms Coleman dropped to the floor pretending she was drunk, but Baker pulled her back up. She kept saying “no, no, my Dad’s outside,” but Baker continued to touch her when standing behind her while she was up against the bar.

The first assault lasted 30 seconds during which time Ms Coleman could see her father’s jeep waiting outside. The second assault lasted between 40-50 seconds. She said she was “in shock” because Baker had been “lovely” to work for.

CCTV footage of the assault was shown to the court in which Baker was seen repeatedly groping and molesting the teen. Judge Johnson described the footage as “very disturbing.”

He said it was clear that Baker was taking advantage of the victim who tried to resist his advances. Baker was also seen using a phone light during the assaults.

When interviewed by gardaí Baker initially denied the allegations until the CCTV footage was shown to him. He then expressed shock.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel Ms Eileen O’Leary SC, with Mr Keith O’Grady BL, instructed by solicitor Mr Mark Mullaney, Sgt Munnelly agreed Baker was under financial pressure from running both the pub and the food truck at that time, had been drinking heavily and not taking his medication for epilepsy.

She agreed that Baker’s phone was analysed and no videos of the assault were found.

Ms Coleman read out her own victim impact statement in which she said she had been a young, carefree and independent girl but Baker’s assault “changed that in so many ways.” She said she “cannot escape” the effects of the assault and went from “a girl who loved school and had good grades to a girl… who almost dropped out.”

Ms Coleman thanked Sgt Munnelly, the staff of St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen, and her parents. Addressing her attacker directly she said: “Paul Baker, I hope you might think about the actions you take in the future and the consequences that your actions have.” Mr Coleman also read out a Victim Impact Statement in which he described how his family’s “world came crashing down. Brooke should have been safe at work. Our happy-go-lucky girl was gone.” Baker took the witness stand and said he was “sincerely sorry” for what he had put Ms Coleman and her family through.

In sentencing, Judge Johnson said the aggravating factors included the victim’s age, that she was given alcohol, the three assaults, the use of a phone and the negative impact of the offending on Ms Coleman and her family. Mitigating factors included Baker’s guilty plea, his lack of previous convictions, the low risk of reoffending, his epilepsy, his prize-winning work history as a chef and his “sincere and genuine” expression of remorse.

Judge Johnson also recognised the “profound” negative impact on Baker’s wife and family who have had to move home and schools. He also noted Baker was placed on the sex offender’s register.

He sentenced Baker to three years in prison, suspending the final nine months for three years post release. He directed €10,000 brought to court by Baker but refused by Ms Coleman should be given to Baker’s wife for the benefit of their children.

Judge Johnson also praised Ms Coleman: “by standing up…she has provided a pathway not only for herself but also for other victims who find themselves in a similar situation and want to get justice.”

Speaking outside the court afterwards, Ms Coleman said: “Hopefully I can put this behind me now. I’ll never be able to fully get over it but it’s one less thing. I can try and move on a bit now. The closure is a great feeling to have,” she said.

*Published under the Courts Reporting Scheme