Courts / Dublin / Report
Prison sentence upheld for man who stole from widow's pension to gamble
Summary
In a case heard at the Court of Appeal, William Butler, aged 52, was found guilty of stealing €19,380 from a widow's pension over a three‑month period between November 2013 and January 2014. Butler admitted to obtaining the victim's banking details and withdrawing the money from the Bank of Ireland, Ballyfermot branch, to gamble. He had pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended, by Judge Karen O'Connor on 13 December 2018. The Court of Appeal upheld the sentence. Butler had made no restitution to the victim, who had discovered the withdrawals and had contacted him. The court noted Butler's previous good character and lack of prior convictions, but emphasized the seriousness of the dishonesty and the vulnerability of the victim. No error was found in the original sentencing, and the appeal was dismissed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Prison sentence upheld for man who stole from widow's pension to gamble. Charges or matters: five sample charges of stealing money from Bank of Ireland, Ballyfermot, Dublin, on dates between November 2013 and January 2014. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- November 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 13, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-06-25 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: five sample charges of stealing money from Bank of Ireland, Ballyfermot, Dublin, on dates between November 2013 and January 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to three years imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended by Judge Karen O'Connor on December 13, 2018, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal today.
Places mentioned
- Ballinakill
- Ballinakill Road
- Abbeyleix
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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