Courts / Dublin / Report

Garda bitten by man infected with HIV

Date
2018-03-06
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Garda Gary Dillane was bitten by Cedrick Chitsime, a 29‑year‑old man from Phibsborough, after Dillane responded to a domestic incident. Chitsime, who had no prior convictions, attacked Dillane at the victim's apartment, punching him, scratching his face, and attempting to gouge his eye. Dillane was treated for bruising, cuts, and a thumb bite, and later learned Chitsime was HIV‑positive after providing a blood sample. Dillane received precautionary HIV medication for a month and was later cleared of infection. Chitsime pleaded guilty to assaulting Dillane, was sentenced to 18 months in prison with 13 months suspended on strict conditions, and was described by the judge as having acted aggressively and persistently. The case highlighted the use of pepper spray to subdue the assailant. The court noted Chitsime's lack of apology but accepted his guilty plea as an indication of remorse.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda bitten by man infected with HIV. Charges or matters: assaulting Gda Dillane causing him harm at Coultry Terrace in Ballymun on April 23, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: He said the man deserved a custodial sentence because he had tried to injure Gda Dillane. CNI source report

Case subjects

Cedrick Chitsime

Defendant

Charges: assaulting Gda Dillane causing him harm at Coultry Terrace in Ballymun on April 23, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Nolan sentenced Chitsime to 18 months in prison but suspended the final 13 months of it on strict conditions.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
Address Area
  • Coultry Terrace
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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