The Court of Appeal upheld a joint trial for Seán Davy (24), Matthew Cummins (24) and James Davy (27) who were convicted of murdering 64‑year‑old Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley in his Edenderry home on 12 February 2014. The men broke into the house and beat Dooley with a baseball bat, delivering eight blows to his head. Each defendant gave conflicting accounts: Cummins claimed Davy struck first and then continued the assault; Davy said James Davy delivered most blows and he struck once with less force; James Davy denied striking and said Davy beat him while Cummins kicked. All were found guilty by jury and sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment by Justice Margaret Heneghan on 10 October 2016. Davy's appeal to separate his trial was dismissed by the Court of Appeal, which ruled the case was "compelling" for a joint trial and the judge's refusal to sever the indictment was proper.
A 64-year-old man, Seán Davy, has appealed his conviction for the murder of Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, who was brutally beaten to death in his home in Edenderry on February 12, 2014. Seán Davy, along with Matthew Cummins and James Davy, was found guilty by a jury of the murder of Mr Dooley, who suffered eight blows to the head with a baseball bat. All three men had denied the charges. They were each given a mandatory life sentence by Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan in October 2016, who described the attack as 'brutal, motiveless' and targeted a 'defenceless elderly man'. Seán Davy's barrister, Ronan Munro SC, argued that his client's conviction was unsafe due to a pre-trial decision not to sever the indictment and order separate trials. He claimed that the garda statements of James Davy and Matthew Cummins gave the jury a 'peculiarly vivid' picture that it was 'all Seán Davy's fault', which overwhelmed any judicial direction. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Patrick Treacy SC, stated that the case was presented as one of joint enterprise or common design, with Seán Davy being the only accused who admitted striking the deceased with a baseball bat. The court has reserved its judgement on the appeal.
Anthony Perry, aged 51, was jailed for two years after a jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court convicted him of forgery and theft for posing as his late brother to buy a house. Perry had applied for a birth certificate and passport in his brother's name, used the documents to open a bank account, and secured a €300,000 mortgage from Start Mortgages. He bought a house and a granny flat in Offaly, took out insurance policies on both, and after the properties burned down in August 2008 he claimed €304,216 from FBD Insurance. The insurer later repudiated the payment when investigators discovered Perry's false identity. Perry pleaded not guilty to eight counts under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, but was found guilty on all counts. The court noted that the fire was caused maliciously by unknown third parties and had nothing to do with Perry.
An 87-year-old man has initiated High Court proceedings in relation to allegations that his nephew withdrew over €130,000 from his bank account for personal use. Patrick Hogan, from Harristown in County Meath, granted his nephew Thomas Kelly a mandate in 2012 to manage withdrawals from his credit union account. According to evidence presented to the court, a forensic accountant calculated that Mr Kelly withdrew approximately €153,000 between 2012 and 2016, with an estimated €133,000 allegedly spent without authorisation. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan granted an interim freezing injunction preventing Mr Kelly from reducing his assets below €200,000 and temporarily prohibited the sale of a property he owns. The matter was adjourned to the following week. A complaint has been made to An Garda Síochána regarding the allegations.
Bernadette Scully, after being found not guilty of the manslaughter of her 11‑year‑old daughter Emily Barut, used her post‑verdict statement to highlight the lack of services for people with disabilities. She said that she had been in a very dark place four years ago, feeling she had no reason to live after Emily's death, but with the help of family, friends and professional support she found the strength to go on. Scully urged anyone with mental health difficulties or who has considered self‑harm to reach out for help. She thanked her partner, her daughter, her mother, siblings, the judge, jury, court officials, gardai, her legal team and medical staff for their support. She also thanked the kindness of family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, the people of Tullamore and Edenderry, and strangers who sent messages, cards, flowers and Mass bouquets.
The family of a 64‑year‑old man who was murdered by three men after they broke into his home expressed shock and horror at the brutality of his death. The family statement, read at the Central Criminal Court, said they were "horrified and shocked at the cruel and heartless way he was brutally taken from us" and that they hoped for justice. The three men, Matthew Cummins (22), Sean Davy (22) and James Davy (25), were convicted of murder on 4–5 August. The judge imposed a mandatory life sentence on each, back‑dating the sentences to account for time spent in custody since 24 November 2014. The court heard that the men had previously been convicted of a range of offences, including arson, burglary and assault.
In a three‑week trial at Sr Senan Court, Edenderry, the jury found Matthew Cummins (22), Sean Davy (21) and James Davy (25) guilty of murdering 64‑year‑old Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley. The men were convicted of beating Dooley to death with a baseball bat in his home. The trial recounted how the trio met at Mangan's Pub, drank, used cocaine, and later attended a house party at April Murray's home where they caused extensive damage. After the party, they entered Dooley's house, where Cummins claimed Sean Davy struck Dooley with the bat, while Davy accounts varied. The prosecution described the attack as a joint enterprise. The men face mandatory life sentences; sentencing is postponed to 10 October, with reports ordered and all three remanded in custody. Matthew Cummins pleaded not guilty. James Davy pleaded not guilty. Sean Davy pleaded not guilty.
Two men, Sean Davy, 21, and James Davy, 25, were found guilty of murdering 64‑year‑old Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley in his home. The verdict was reached by unanimous jury after a three‑week trial at Sr Senan Court in Edenderry. The jury also considered a third defendant, Matthew Cummins, 22, who pleaded not guilty, and will decide his verdict tomorrow. The judge instructed the jury not to discuss the case with anyone else and to return for Cummins' verdict.
James Davy, aged 25, stands accused of murder after being present at the scene of Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley's death on 12 February 2014. He pleaded not guilty, as did co‑accused Sean Davy (21) and Matthew Cummins (22). The men entered Dooley's home through a window at about 5.30 am, drank with him, and at some point Dooley was beaten to death and attempts were made to set his body on fire. Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy reported eight blows to Dooley's head and two blows to his body, fracturing ribs. Defence counsel Padraig Dwyer SC argued that Davy's presence alone does not prove intent to kill, and that the prosecution failed to establish such intent. Davy maintains he did not strike Dooley or attempt arson, and he denied any involvement in the killing. The trial continues with the judge scheduled to charge the jury the following day.
In the Central Criminal Court, defence counsel Caroline Biggs SC argued that the evidence against 22‑year‑old Matthew Cummins of Churchview Heights, Edenderry, shows "morally corrupt" behaviour but does not prove he committed murder. Cummins, who pleaded not guilty to the killing of Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, was present at the crime scene, had taken drugs, and was involved in earlier vandalism, but there is no evidence he intended to kill or seriously injure Dooley. Biggs contended that Cummins' actions after Dooley's death, such as cleaning the scene and possibly setting the body on fire, cannot constitute murder. She urged the jury to find him not guilty of murder but guilty of impeding the arrest or prosecution of the principal offender. The trial also heard defence arguments for Sean Davy, who was to be found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, and the case will continue with James Davy's defence on Tuesday.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Patrick Treacy SC argued that Matthew Cummins (22), Sean Davy (21) and James Davy (25) acted together to murder 64‑year‑old Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley. The prosecution said the men entered Dooley's house at about 5.30 am after being expelled from a house party, beat him to death with a baseball bat, attempted to set his body on fire and then disposed of the bat and other items in a bin. Treacy described the evidence as showing a joint enterprise, with each accused equally guilty. He highlighted conflicting statements from the men, including Cummins' claims of lying about his whereabouts and Davy's admissions of striking Dooley. The trial was set to continue the following day before Justice Margaret Heneghan. Matthew Cummins pleaded not guilty. Sean Davy pleaded not guilty. James Davy pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution has finished giving evidence in the case of three men accused of murdering a 64‑year‑old at his home. Matthew Cummins (22) of Churchview Heights, Edenderry, Sean Davy (21) of Clonmullen Drive, Edenderry and James Davy (25) of Thornhill Meadows, Celbridge, all pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas "Toddy" Dooley at his home in Sr Senan Court, Edenderry, on 12 February 2014. Prosecuting counsel Patrick Treacy SC told the jury that the evidence had ended and he would begin his summary of the trial tomorrow. The legal representatives for all three accused said they would not call any further witnesses. On the final day of evidence the jury heard from interviews given by James Davy to gardai in February and June 2014. Det Garda Joseph Bradley said that in February Mr Davy told gardai that it was Matthew Cummins' idea to go to Mr Dooley's house that night.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, a murder accused admitted to the Garda that he struck the deceased once with a baseball bat, but claimed the blow did not kill him. The accused, Matthew Cummins (22), Sean Davy (21) and James Davy (25), all pleaded not guilty to the murder of 64‑year‑old Thomas "Toddy" Dooley, who was found dead at his home in Sr Senan Court, Edenderry, on 12 February 2014. The trial is ongoing before a jury and Justice Margaret Heneghan.
The trial of Sean Davy, James Davy, and Matthew Cummins for the alleged murder of 64-year-old Thomas "Toddy" Dooley continues before Justice Margaret Heneghan. All three accused have pleaded not guilty to killing Mr. Dooley at his home in Edenderry, Co Offaly, on February 12, 2014. The jury heard that during an interview, Matthew Cummins stated that Sean Davy claimed the deceased had raped his cousin. Evidence presented included a text message allegedly received by James Davy from Chloe McBride, identified as the deceased's granddaughter, which read: "Toddy a rapist. I never going there again." Prosecutors suggested this indicated a pre-planned motive. However, Detective Garda Joe Hughes agreed with defense counsel that Mr. Dooley had never come to the attention of gardai and that there were no concerning rumors regarding him. Cummins testified that he believed the group was entering the house to drink and was unaware of any plan to attack. He stated he was too afraid to call an ambulance or alert police immediately after the incident. The court noted that the matter was adjourned and the trial continues.
During the murder trial of three men accused of killing 64‑year‑old Thomas "Toddy" Dooley, Matthew Cummins, aged 22, testified that he and co‑accused Sean Davy and James Davy had been drinking and using cocaine at a house party on 11 February 2014. Cummins said James Davy had a baseball bat and that after the party they decided to break into Dooley's house through a window. Cummins entered first, then let the others in. While inside, Cummins claimed he and the others drank with Dooley, who refused vodka but drank Budweiser. Cummins alleged that Sean Davy struck Dooley on the back of the head with the bat, then again on the chest, and that James Davy attempted to stab Dooley with a knife that broke. Cummins said he shouted at Davy and that the trio left the house with a plastic bag, the bat and prescription sleeping pills. Matthew Cummins pleaded not guilty. Sean Davy pleaded not guilty. James Davy pleaded not guilty.
The trial of Sean Davy, Matthew Cummins, and James Davy, all accused of the murder of Thomas Dooley, continued before Justice Margaret Heneghan. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the alleged killing of the 64-year-old man at his home in Edenderry on February 12, 2014. The court heard testimony from Chloe McBride, the deceased's granddaughter, who exchanged text messages with James Davy on the night of the alleged incident. She stated that Davy told her he was drinking and heading to a "session" with Sean Davy. Later, they discussed meeting at her grandfather's house, but Davy claimed he was busy with "stuff" and heading to Sean Davy's father's house. Four days later, upon learning of her grandfather's death, Davy expressed shock and hoped the perpetrators would be caught. He later inquired about arrests and whether a sock was found in Mr. Dooley's mouth. Prosecution also presented CCTV footage from the early hours of February 12, showing three men, one carrying a white bag, near Sweeney's Topaz and subsequently at Granary Court, where they lingered near bins. Garda Joseph Bradley identified one man as Matthew Cummins entering Granary Court. Other footage traced James Davy and Sean Davy walking together until 7am. The matter was adjourned, with the trial set to continue the following day.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy testified that Thomas Dooley, aged 64, died from blunt‑force trauma after being struck eight times on the head, with fractures to his skull and internal brain injuries. She noted additional blows to his body that fractured three ribs, contributing to his death. Cassidy examined Dooley's body on 17 February, five days after the alleged murder on 12 February, and observed scorch marks indicating an attempted fire. She identified a baseball bat, which the prosecution claims was the murder weapon, as consistent with the injuries. Under cross‑examination, Cassidy suggested the head injuries were likely inflicted by a single implement, though she could not confirm whether one or more assailants were involved. The defendants—Matthew Cummins (22), Sean Davy (21) and James Davy (25)—remain not guilty pleas. The trial continues before Justice Margaret Heneghan.
During a murder trial, the prosecution presented CCTV footage that showed three men acting suspiciously near a clothes bank at Granary Court apartments in Edenderry on the morning after the alleged murder of Thomas Dooley. The footage, captured at about 6:30 am on February 21 , 2014, was reviewed by Sergeant Carlo Griffin and Garda Alan Melia, who testified that the men were seen around the bin area. The men, Matthew Cummins (22), Sean Davy (21) and James Davy (25), are charged with murdering Dooley, who was found dead in his home on February 16 , 2014. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan, continues with a jury of eight men and four women. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. The prosecution maintains that Dooley died from instrumental trauma to the head and chest. The case remains in the early stages of the trial.
In the trial at Sister Senan Court, three men in their twenties—Matthew Cummins (22), Sean Davy (21), and James Davy (25)—have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas 'Toddy' Dooly, a 64‑year‑old who was found dead in his Edenderry home on 16 February 2014. The prosecution alleges Dooly died from instrumental trauma to the head and chest and that the accused were present in his house on the day of the death, acting as a joint enterprise. A baseball bat, believed to have been used in the alleged murder, was recovered from a clothes bank in Edenderry on 21 February and later presented to the jury. Garda Trevor Shore described the bat as having marks and indentations; forensic scientist John Hoade examined it, noting missing wood pieces and dents that contained DNA matching Dooly, and reported blood staining indicating repeated swings of the weapon. The case remains at the jury stage.
During a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, a Garda witness testified that a fire may have been set at the armchair where 64‑year‑old Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley was found dead in his Edenderry home on 16 February 2014. The body, covered with a cushion, was in a sitting position in the armchair, which was burned in three places. Seven footwear marks were found on the floor, and no implement was recovered. The fire caused burns to Dooley's head, upper body, and both legs of his nylon tracksuit. The prosecution also presented witnesses who described the presence of a baseball bat in the scene, but no weapon was found. The case involves three men—Matthew Cummins (22), Sean Davy (21), and James Davy (25)—who are charged with murder and have pleaded not guilty. The trial is set to continue tomorrow before Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan.
During a murder trial, witness Ms. April Murray testified that on 11 February 2014 she and her daughter were at Mangan's pub in Edenderry, where they met James Davy, Sean Davy and Jade Mooney. After the pub, they returned to Murray's house, where the men drank beer and used cocaine from a key. Murray described a chaotic scene the next morning, with damage to the living room and kitchen, and noted a light‑brown wooden baseball bat on the kitchen table. She claimed the bat had been used and was later left in a taxi. Courtleigh Maloney, an 18‑year‑old, confirmed that James Davy had brought the bat to the pub and left it in the taxi. Jade Mooney also stated that Davy had shown her the bat and said it was to "protect himself." The accused men, Matthew Cummins, Sean Davy and James Davy, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas Dooley.
During a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, a Meals on Wheels volunteer, Ms Patricia Maguire, testified that a 64‑year‑old Offaly man, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, appeared to be in "OK" form the day before his death. Ms Maguire, who has volunteered for 18 years, delivered a meal to Dooley's home at Sister Senan Court on Tuesday, February 11, 2014. She described a brief conversation with Dooley, who seemed fine and paid her €2 or €2.50 for the meal. Dooley was later found dead in his living room on February 16, 2014, with injuries to his upper body and head. The trial involves three men—Matthew Cummins (22), Sean Davy (21) and James Davy (25)—who were charged with murdering Dooley on February 12, 2014, and who pleaded not guilty. The case continues.
In a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, the jury heard that Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, a 64‑year‑old Offaly resident, was found dead in his living room on 16 February 2014, four days after he was allegedly beaten to death with a baseball bat. The prosecution presented evidence that three men – Matthew Cummins (22), Sean Davy (21) and James Davy (25) – were present at a party in April Murray's house on the early hours of 12 February 2014, then travelled to Dooley's home. The men were said to have used a wooden baseball bat to inflict blunt‑trauma injuries to Dooley's head and chest, leading to his death. The prosecution also alleged attempts to set fire to Dooley's armchair and clothing, and that the men removed items from the scene, some of which were later recovered by the gardai. The accused pleaded not guilty. The trial was scheduled to continue the following day.
A jury was sworn in for the trial of three men accused of murdering a 64‑year‑old man in Offaly. Sean Davy, 21, of Edenderry; James Davy, 25, of Celbridge; and Matthew Cummins, 22, of Edenderry, were charged with the murder of Thomas Dooley at Sister Senan Court on 12 February 2014. The men pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. Justice Patrick McCarthy told the jury that the trial was expected to last three weeks, though it could extend beyond that. The trial began in evidence before Justice Margaret Heneghan.
This report details five notorious Irish murder cases, including the sentencing of Malcolm McArthur. McArthur pleaded guilty to the murder of Bridie Gargan and was sentenced to life in jail. The article also covers the Grangegorman killings, where Mark Nash was found guilty of the murders of Sylvia Shields and Mary Callinan in 2015, receiving a second life sentence. Although Dean Lyons initially confessed to these crimes, charges against him were dropped in 1998 after psychological testing suggested he was highly suggestible. Additionally, the report notes that Geoffrey Evans and John Shaw were sentenced to life in jail for the murders and rapes of Elizabeth Plunkett and Mary Duffy. Colin Whelan was sentenced to life in 2005 for the murder of his wife, Mary Gough, after faking his death and being extradited from Spain. Finally, Graham Dwyer is described in relation to the murder of Elaine O'Hara, though specific sentencing details for this case are not provided in the text. The validated procedural stage for the highlighted subjects is sentence, with findings of guilt and life imprisonment imposed for the proven charges.
Mr Justice Michael White ruled that the environmental assessment for the Clonbullogue power station in Co Offaly was flawed. In proceedings brought by An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, the judge found that An Bord Pleanála misinterpreted the EU Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive by completely excluding indirect effects of peat extraction from designated bogs. The court declared that An Bord Pleanála is obliged to ensure the effectiveness of the EIA Directive by subjecting those environmental effects to an assessment before granting planning permission for the plant's continued operation. The action was opposed by the board and notice parties, including Edenderry Power Ltd, Bord na Mona Energy Ltd, Bord Na Mona Plc, the Minister for the Environment, and the State. Following his ruling, the judge adjourned the action for further orders arising from that finding. An Taisce had also sought an order quashing the planning permission decision. Separately, Mr Justice White dismissed related proceedings brought by Friends of the Irish Environment Ltd, which sought to quash the permission and declared that peat extraction effects were not properly assessed under the EU Habitats Directive. The judge dismissed this application because the applicant failed to provide expert evidence regarding the Habitats Directive. Notice parties in that separate action included Edenderry Power Ltd, Bord Na Mona, the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the EPA, and An Taisce.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced brothers Erol and Ali Basak for their involvement in a counterfeit clothing operation based in Tallaght, south Dublin. Erol Basak, 43, of Lucan, pleaded not guilty to twelve counts of fraudulent possession of goods bearing trade marks and eleven counts of fraudulent application of trade marks. A jury unanimously convicted him of all charges, which were committed in November 2012. Ali Basak, of Edenderry, Co Offaly, pleaded guilty to similar offences contrary to section 92 of the Trade Marks Act, 1996. Judge Mary Ellen Ring suspended a sentence of two and a half years imprisonment for both men, conditional on each paying €5,000 by December 2017. The judge specified that €2,000 of this sum should cover State expenses for trademark witnesses. She noted both men had unblemished records and were unlikely to re-offend. The court heard the operation could have caused an estimated €3 million loss to multinational companies if all seized unused labels had been used. Judge Ring directed that seized counterfeit clothing be donated to charities such as Focus Ireland rather than destroyed, noting the items were useful. The prosecution estimated finished items would have caused a €65,000 loss. The men, both Turkish nationals, had previously operated a legitimate clothing importation business before moving to the container premises.
The National Bus and Rail Workers Union (NBRU) and member Pauric Wall have launched a High Court challenge against the National Transport Authority (NTA). The applicants, who include Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann as parties whose routes are affected, seek to quash three NTA decisions made on January 22 regarding the tendering of approximately 30 routes in Dublin and Waterford City. The NBRU alleges that the NTA's decision to invite tenders breaches exclusive operating rights conferred under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and that the NTA acted outside its powers. The union claims the NTA incorrectly interpreted an EU Regulation, which it argues does not mandate the privatisation of public passenger transport services. The applicants seek declarations that the NTA's decisions are null and void. In response, NTA lawyers stated the authority is entitled to make the tendering decisions. The court heard that contract notices have been issued, with awards due in April 2016. Mr Justice Seamus Noonan granted permission to bring the action on an ex parte basis. The matter was adjourned and made returnable to a date in early June.
Edward Piotrowski, 48, from Edenderry, Offaly, was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury on 25 November 2007 of three counts of rape, one count of aggravated sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment of a woman. He was sentenced to five concurrent life sentences by Mr Justice Peter Charleton in January 2010. The life sentences were imposed for the rape, aggravated sexual assault and false imprisonment, and he also received concurrent terms of 10, five and 10 years for aggravated burglary, assault and false imprisonment of the man. Piotrowski denied the charges and pleaded guilty only to the assault charge. In April 2014 the Court of Criminal Appeal upheld his conviction, finding no legitimate basis for overturning the jury's decision. Piotrowski's counsel argued that the trial judge had not explained why an extraordinary five life sentences were warranted and that the sentence lacked proportionality. The appeal focused on the life sentences and whether they were appropriate.
In a High Court ruling on 26 May 2014, Mr Gerard Killally's bankruptcy was extended by 12 months, keeping him bankrupt until June 2015. Killally, a former Fianna Fail politician and businessman, was declared bankrupt in July 2009 with debts of about €70 million. The extension follows a 2012 conviction at the Midland Circuit Criminal Court for stealing €18 000 of refrigeration equipment, for which he received a three‑year suspended sentence. Mr Chris Lehane, the bankruptcy official, applied for the extension citing Killally's conviction and undisclosed pension plans. Mr Justice Brian McGovern granted the order, citing "good public policy" and the need for bankrupts to cooperate with the official assignee. He also imposed an income‑payment order of €433 per month until May 2016. Killally's counsel opposed the extension, arguing it constituted a double punishment for the 2012 conviction.
Edward Piotrowski, aged 48, lost his appeal against his conviction for the rape and sexual assault of a woman. The court found no legitimate basis to overturn the jury's decision. Piotrowski had claimed the trial judge erred in explaining the presumption of innocence and in presenting the defence case, but the Court of Criminal Appeal rejected these arguments. The court also dismissed his attempt to introduce new evidence, calling it unsubstantiated and implausible. Piotrowski was sentenced in January 2010 to five concurrent life sentences for three counts of rape, one count of aggravated sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment, plus concurrent terms of 10, five and 10 years for aggravated burglary, assault and false imprisonment of the man. The appeal against the sentence will be heard later. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.
Edward Piotrowski, a 48-year-old Polish man formerly of Edenderry, Co Offaly, must await the outcome of his appeal against his conviction for the rape and sexual assault of a woman. In January 2010, Mr Justice Peter Charleton sentenced Piotrowski to five concurrent life sentences after a Central Criminal Court jury convicted him of the November 25, 2007 attack. The life sentences were imposed on three counts of rape, one count of aggravated sexual assault, and one count of false imprisonment of the woman, all of which he had denied. Additionally, Piotrowski received concurrent terms of 10, five, and 10 years for aggravated burglary, assault, and false imprisonment of the victim's partner; he pleaded guilty to the assault charge but not guilty to the other two. All sentences were backdated to November 2007. At the Court of Criminal Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice Frank Clarke, counsel for Piotrowski argued that the trial judge erred in law regarding the presumption of innocence and the presentation of the defence case. The court also rejected Piotrowski's attempt to introduce new evidence, stating it would provide reasons for this decision later. The matter was adjourned as the court reserved its judgement on the appeal.