Courts / Dublin / Report
Locke guilty of murdering Sonia Blount
Summary
In a Dublin murder case, Eric Locke, aged 35, was found guilty of strangling his ex‑girlfriend Sonia Blount, aged 31, at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on 16 February 2014. Locke lured Blount to the hotel using a fake Facebook profile and, after a confrontation, strangled her with his hands and the cable of her phone charger, forcing her t‑shirt into her mouth and breaking her teeth. He had previously pleaded not guilty but admitted causing her death. The Central Criminal Court jury deliberated for 1 hour 33 minutes before delivering a unanimous guilty verdict. Locke was remanded in custody for sentencing, where a mandatory life sentence will be imposed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Locke guilty of murdering Sonia Blount. Charges or matters: her murder, but admitted causing the 31-year-old's death in a room at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on the 16th of February 2014. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 2014 Other
- October 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 15th Other
- 2017-05-22 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: her murder, but admitted causing the 31-year-old's death in a room at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on the 16th of February 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Mr Justice Michael Moriarty remanded Locke in custody for sentencing on Friday morning, when victim impact statements will be heard and the convicted murderer will receive the mandatory life sentence.; Mr Justice Michael Moriarty remanded Locke in custody for sentencing on Friday morning, when victim impact statements will be heard and the convicted murderer will receive the mandatory life sentence.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request