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Five years for man who burned home and threatened to kill partner and baby
Summary
Patrick Stokes, aged 26, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to arson, assault, false imprisonment and other offences. He set fire to his partner Louise Kavanagh's home in February 2017, causing €21,000 in damage, and later threatened to kill her, their six‑month‑old baby and himself if she left him. Stokes held Kavanagh's throat, threatened to rape her, and held a knife to the baby's chest while she tried to protect the child. He also punched her ribs and threatened to slit her and the baby's throat with a broken wine bottle. Kavanagh suffered a black eye and rib injuries and described the assault as terrifying. The judge noted Stokes' violent background, substance abuse and loss of control, and accepted his apology and desire to reform. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offences and the harm caused.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Five years for man who burned home and threatened to kill partner and baby. Charges or matters: arson of their home at the site on February 2, 2017; assaulting Ms Kavanagh causing her harm, threatening to kill or cause her serious harm and falsely imprisoning her at the Clayton Hotel, Sandyford on March 11, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 2, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 11, 2017 Incident
- 2018-04-26 Publication
Why: She said she still suffers today with anxiety because of the assault but said without Stokes in her life, herself and her son's lives are good. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: arson of their home at the site on February 2, 2017; assaulting Ms Kavanagh causing her harm, threatening to kill or cause her serious harm and falsely imprisoning her at the Clayton Hotel, Sandyford on March 11, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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