Courts / Dublin / Report

Court reduces by 90% number of years man must stay away from former partner

Date
2020-06-02
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In 2020 the Court of Appeal reduced a 30‑year restriction on Daniel Wildes, who had assaulted his former partner, Natasha Cummins, to three years. Wildes, aged 33, had been sentenced in 2018 to four years' imprisonment with the final year suspended for three years, on condition he keep the peace and stay away from Cummins for 30 years. The appeal argued the 30‑year order was disproportionate, affecting his rights to associate with his children and enjoy family life. The Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence and re‑sentenced him to four years, suspending the final year for three years, but imposed a three‑year restriction during the suspended period that he must not contact Cummins or cause others to do so, except for his solicitor writing in relation to their children. The court also required him to comply with any probation recommendations for domestic‑violence and anger‑management courses.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Court reduces by 90% number of years man must stay away from former partner. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Why: The Court of Appeal today found that the sentencing judge was in error in making the suspended portion of her sentence 'subject to the impugned condition', although she had been 'unquestionably acting with a worthy motive and the best of intentions'. CNI source report

Case subjects

Daniel Wildes

Convicted Person

Outcome: Wildes, of Devitt Villas, Glasthule, Dublin was jailed by Dublin Circuit Court in 2018, after being found guilty of assaulting his former partner, Natasha Cummins, causing her harm. Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced him to four years in prison, but suspended the final year, providing he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for a period of three years post-release.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Court of Appeal
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Court
Residence

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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