Courts / Offaly / Report
Rapist who was given five life sentences loses conviction appeal
Summary
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.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Rapist who was given five life sentences loses conviction appeal. Charges or matters: the assault charge but not guilty to the false imprisonment and aggravated burglary. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- January 2010 Incident
- November 25, 2007 Incident
- November 2007 Incident
- 2014-04-30 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the assault charge but not guilty to the false imprisonment and aggravated burglary (Proven)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; In January 2010 Piotrowski, formerly of Edenderry Co Offaly, was sentenced to five concurrent life sentences by Mr Justice Peter Charleton after he was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury of the attack on November 25, 2007. The five life sentences, which Piotrowski is serving simultaneously, were imposed by Judge Charleton on three counts of rape, one count of aggravated sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment of the woman.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Burglary Stage Appeal Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Court rejects child abuser's conviction appeal
- Teacher alleges women given preferential treatment in Masters programme 24 years ago
- Child rapist argues trial was unfair
- 'I refuse to remain silent anymore,' victim tells court as man jailed for repeated rapes
- Double killer claims gardai 'fabricated' murder case against him
- Woman repeatedly raped as child says she 'refuses to remain silent anymore'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request