Courts / Wicklow / Report

Violent burglar who attacked couple in rural home has sentence increased

Date
2018-10-03

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Ashford

County
Wicklow

Summary

Carl Freeman, aged 23, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary at the home of Mr William Crean (72) and Mrs Kathleen Crean (65) in a rural area outside Ashford Village, Co Wicklow, on 12 March 2015. He was originally sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended, by Judge Michael O'Shea on 26 July 2017. The Court of Appeal, following an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions, found the sentence too lenient and re‑sentenced him to ten years' imprisonment, with the final four years suspended. The decision was made by a three‑judge panel headed by Mr Justice John Edwards. The case involved a violent burglary in which the intruders used hurls, assaulted Mr Crean, threatened Mrs Crean, and stole approximately €150 in cash, a landline, and Mr Crean's mobile phone.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Violent burglar who attacked couple in rural home has sentence increased. Charges or matters: aggravated burglary at the home of Mr William Crean (72) and Mrs Kathleen Crean (65) in a rural area about a mile outside Ashford Village, Co Wicklow in the early hours of March 12, 2015. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

March 12, 2015 Incident
July 26, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
2018-10-03 Publication

Why: 30am the Crean's dog started barking which prompted Mr Crean to go downstairs because, he explained, "I knew there was someone or something outside". CNI source report

Case subjects

Carl Freeman

Appellant

Charges: aggravated burglary at the home of Mr William Crean (72) and Mrs Kathleen Crean (65) in a rural area about a mile outside Ashford Village, Co Wicklow in the early hours of March 12, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He was sentenced at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court to seven years imprisonment with the final three suspended by Judge Michael O'Shea on July 26, 2017. Mr Justice Edwards, who sat with President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice John Hedigan, re-sentenced Freeman to 10 years imprisonment with the final four suspended.