2019-04-05
Master's student jailed over false road injury claim
Stage: Sentence
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Elma Sheahan condemned Alitise's "premeditated behaviour" which she said caused the victim "significant distress and upset" and "made her life a misery" up until his guilty plea. "It's a most serious offence," said the judge. "It demonstrates a high level of culpability and the highest degree of intent." She sentenced Alatise to 16 months in prison but suspended the final four months, on condition that he keep the peace for four months after his release. Judge Sheahan said despite good mitigation, she was compelled to give Alatise a custodial sentence given the effect on the victim and "the necessity, in general, to deter this kind of behaviour".