Courts / Cork / Report
"Model prisoner" who raped woman in her own home has jail term cut to five years on appeal
Summary
In a Cork case, Hungarian national Tamas Vecernyes, aged 29, was found guilty of raping a woman in her apartment on 9 September 2009. The original 11‑year sentence, with three years suspended, was reduced to eight years with the same suspension after an appeal. The victim, a woman in her 20s, had invited Vecernyes for drinks; after she went to bed, he followed her and raped her while she was intoxicated. She described being unable to breathe and feeling paralyzed. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, ruled that the original 11‑year headline was "unusual" and "out of kilter" with similar offences, citing the lack of premeditation and extra violence. The judge noted Vecernyes' good behaviour in prison and a positive letter from authorities, and imposed an eight‑year term with a three‑year suspension, requiring a good‑behaviour bond for the suspended period. Tamas Vecernyes pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Model prisoner" who raped woman in her own home has jail term cut to five years on appeal. Charges or matters: rape at an apartment in the city on September 9, 2009. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- September 9, 2009 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 26, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-12-06 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: rape at an apartment in the city on September 9, 2009 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; He was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to 11 years in prison with the final three suspended by Mr Justice Paul Carney on November 26, 2012. Vecernyes, who broke down in tears when the judgement was delivered, was re-sentenced to eight years in prison with three suspended.
Places mentioned
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