Courts / Tipperary / Report
Suspended sentence 'too lenient' for man who drove van into group
Summary
Robert Maxwell, 26, was found guilty of endangering Simon Ryan by driving a van into a group of people in Nenagh on 6–7 August 2017. Maxwell struck Ryan, knocked him to the ground, drove over him and then drove at him again. He pleaded guilty to the endangerment and to three public order offences. The Tipperary Circuit Criminal Court had imposed a wholly suspended four‑year sentence on 28 June 2019, but the Court of Appeal deemed it unduly lenient. The appeal court quashed the original sentence and re‑sentenced Maxwell to four years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. He must enter a good‑behaviour bond for the suspended period. Maxwell had 28 prior convictions, many for road traffic offences, and had been disqualified from driving on several occasions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentence 'too lenient' for man who drove van into group. Charges or matters: endangerment by driving a van at Simon Ryan knocking him to the ground, driving over him and then turning the vehicle and driving at Mr Ryan a second time at Yewston Estate, in Nenagh between August 6 and 7, 2017; three public order matters relating to the events of the night, which were taken into consideration in the overall sentence. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- August 6 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 28, 2109 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2020-03-11 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: endangerment by driving a van at Simon Ryan knocking him to the ground, driving over him and then turning the vehicle and driving at Mr Ryan a second time at Yewston Estate, in Nenagh between August 6 and 7, 2017; three public order matters relating to the events of the night, which were taken into consideration in the overall sentence (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Maxwell was accordingly jailed for two years. Mr Justice McGovern, who sat with Mr Justice John Edwards and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, quashed the sentence imposed in the Circuit Court and re-sentenced Maxwell to four years imprisonment with the final two years suspended.
Places mentioned
- Yewston Estate
- Nenagh
- Tipperary
- Tipperary Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Public Order Road Traffic Stage Appeal
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