A young woman who was groomed and sexually abused as a teenager by journalist Tom Humphries has refused to accept a letter of apology from him.

The former Irish Times sports journalist first made contact with the girl when she was just 14.

In December 2010 - after two years of regular texting - Humphries arranged to meet the girl.

Aged 16 at the time, she was still considered a child in the eyes of the law.

He took her to his apartment in north Dublin where he engaged in sexual acts with her.

There were further sexual encounters in the three months that followed and over 16,000 text messages were exchanged between them during that time.

He was caught in March 2011 when his daughter found some explicit texts on his phone.

The court heard the girl has been deeply affected by what happened and feels she has lost her childhood and her trust in men.

Judge Karen O’Connor heard Humphries has twice attempted suicide since these offences came to light.

He asked to be taken into custody ahead of his sentencing later this month.