Courts / Dublin / Report

Rape accused told gardai he "panicked" and stole alleged victim's phone

Date
2018-05-14

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A 30‑year‑old man accused of raping a woman he met on the dating app Badoo was interviewed by Gardaí after the complainant alleged he entered her Dublin home on 14 August 2015, raped her, and stole her phone. In his first interview he claimed he had stolen the phone to sell it for money, but later admitted he had taken it in a moment of panic because his contact details were on it. He denied the rape, stating the woman was aware he had no condom and that they had sex after she asked for one. He said he ejaculated quickly, told her she might become pregnant, and that he had no money for the morning‑after pill. Garda Rossa Smith presented evidence that the accused's WhatsApp contact matched the seller's number on DoneDeal.ie and that CCTV showed him entering the house at 3.15 am and leaving at 3.38 am. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Rape accused told gardai he "panicked" and stole alleged victim's phone. Charges or matters: raping the woman at her home in Dublin on August 14, 2015. Procedural stage: trial

When:

August 14, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
2018-05-14 Publication

Why: A man accused of raping a woman he met on dating app Badoo initially told gardaí he stole her phone because he wanted to sell it but later agreed he "panicked" because his details were on it. CNI source report