2018-03-05 · Kilkenny
Man who continued €500k online machinery scam after being caught has sentence increased
Martin Holden, 52, of Garrigue, Mullinavat, Co Kilkenny, was found guilty of multiple thefts over a five‑year period from 2007 to 2012. He advertised non‑existent heavy machinery on internet sites, offering competitive prices and claiming to arrange overseas shipping. He collected deposits from 17 victims worldwide, ranging from €2,000 to €40,000, and transferred the money to Lithuania. The High Court ordered his extradition to Lithuania, but the order was stayed until he served his sentence. On appeal, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence from four years with the final year suspended to four years and eight months imprisonment. The judge noted that Holden resumed the same pattern of fraud while on bail and that the offence was serious, elaborate and carried out over five years. The sentence was deemed unduly lenient and was accordingly increased.