Courts / Dublin / Report

Master's student jailed over false road injury claim

Date
2019-04-05
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In 2015, Waquil Alatise, a 52‑year‑old Master's student, collapsed in front of a woman's car in Clondalkin and later claimed she had hit him while she was on her phone. He admitted making a false statement to Gardaí and pleaded guilty in February 2019. The court found his premeditated behaviour caused the victim significant distress and called the offence "most serious." Alatise was sentenced to 16 months in prison, with the final four months suspended on the condition of keeping the peace for four months after release. He had previously filed a civil claim with the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, which he withdrew. The victim, a careful driver with 20 years of licence, said the ordeal had shaken her confidence and left her nervous on the roads. Alatise has no prior convictions in Ireland or the UK.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Master's student jailed over false road injury claim. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Waquil Alatise

Defendant

Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Elma Sheahan condemned Alitise's "premeditated behaviour" which she said caused the victim "significant distress and upset" and "made her life a misery" up until his guilty plea. "It's a most serious offence," said the judge. "It demonstrates a high level of culpability and the highest degree of intent." She sentenced Alatise to 16 months in prison but suspended the final four months, on condition that he keep the peace for four months after his release. Judge Sheahan said despite good mitigation, she was compelled to give Alatise a custodial sentence given the effect on the victim and "the necessity, in general, to deter this kind of behaviour".

Places mentioned

Garda Station
  • false statement at Clondalkin Garda Station
Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Journey Or Route
  • Old Nangor Road

Topics

Stage Sentence

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