Courts / Cavan / Report
"One of life's victims" jailed for three years for staging housemate's suicide
Summary
Egita Jaunmaize, a 34-year-old woman of no fixed abode, has been sentenced to three years in prison for staging the suicide of her housemate, Antra Ozolina, in an effort to impede the prosecution of the man who strangled her. The sentence was imposed by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy during a sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court. Jaunmaize had pleaded not guilty to the charge of carrying out the offence, without reasonable excuse, at their home at The Old Post, Main Street, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan on or about June 27 or June 28 2014. The judge noted that the maximum penalty for the offence was 10 years in prison, but imposed a custodial sentence of three years, backdated to 22nd February 2017. He acknowledged that Jaunmaize had a suspended sentence due to be activated in her native Latvia and did not want to come to garda attention. The court heard that the deceased, Antra Ozolina, had sustained blunt force injuries and died from asphyxiation. The judge accepted that Jaunmaize's involvement was due to her abusive relationship with the assailant, who was described as the murderer. However, the jury found her fully responsible for her actions. The judge took into account her lack of a previous criminal record, her work in Ireland, and her vulnerabilities, including post-traumatic stress disorder and a history of childhood trauma. The matter was not adjourned and was finalised at the sentencing stage.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "One of life's victims" jailed for three years for staging housemate's suicide. Charges or matters: carrying out the offence, without reasonable excuse, at their home at The Old Post, Main Street, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan on or about June 27 or June 28 2014. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 27 Incident
- June 28 2014 Incident
- 22nd February 2017 Incident
- October 2014 Incident
- 2018-03-05 Publication
Why: A mother of one has been sentenced to three years in prison for staging her housemate's suicide in order to impede the prosecution of the man who strangled her. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: carrying out the offence, without reasonable excuse, at their home at The Old Post, Main Street, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan on or about June 27 or June 28 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice McCarthy noted that the maximum penalty was 10 years in prison, but imposed a custodial sentence of three years, backdated to 22nd February 2017. She later explained that this was because he had a suspended sentence due to be activated in his native Latvia and did not want to come to garda attention.
Places mentioned
Topics
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