Courts / Offaly / Report

Polish Man given five life sentences for rape must await sentence fate

Date
2014-07-28
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Edenderry
County
Offaly

Summary

Edward Piotrowski, 48, from Edenderry, Offaly, was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury on 25 November 2007 of three counts of rape, one count of aggravated sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment of a woman. He was sentenced to five concurrent life sentences by Mr Justice Peter Charleton in January 2010. The life sentences were imposed for the rape, aggravated sexual assault and false imprisonment, and he also received concurrent terms of 10, five and 10 years for aggravated burglary, assault and false imprisonment of the man. Piotrowski denied the charges and pleaded guilty only to the assault charge. In April 2014 the Court of Criminal Appeal upheld his conviction, finding no legitimate basis for overturning the jury's decision. Piotrowski's counsel argued that the trial judge had not explained why an extraordinary five life sentences were warranted and that the sentence lacked proportionality. The appeal focused on the life sentences and whether they were appropriate.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Polish Man given five life sentences for rape must await sentence fate. Charges or matters: the assault charge but not guilty to the false imprisonment and aggravated burglary. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed man

Appellant

Charges: the assault charge but not guilty to the false imprisonment and aggravated burglary (Proven)

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; A Polish man must await the outcome of his appeal against the five life sentences imposed on him for the rape and sexual assault of a woman. In January 2010 Piotrowski, formerly of Edenderry Co Offaly, was sentenced to five concurrent life sentences by Mr Justice Peter Charleton after he was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury of the attack on November 25, 2007.

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Burglary Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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