Courts / Dublin / Report

Teen attacked woman in laneway

Date
2020-11-30
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A 21‑year‑old teenager, Xolani Mdakani, was found guilty of assaulting a woman in a laneway on 9 February 2018. He grabbed her in a headlock, threatened her, and struck her with a bottle while she tried to escape. A woman in an apartment shouted at him, prompting him to flee. The incident was captured on CCTV, which Mdakani admitted to being. He has 36 prior convictions, including assault, theft, burglary and trespass. Mdakani, who arrived in Ireland from South Africa as an unaccompanied minor around age 13, has been in custody since last October. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and is expected to be sentenced early next year, with sentencing adjourned to 23 February 2021. The case has been referred to the Probation Service. The victim declined to give a victim impact statement. The court noted Mdakani's remorse and his desire to return to South Africa after his sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Teen attacked woman in laneway. Charges or matters: assaulting the woman causing her harm at Henry Place, Dublin 1 on February 9, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Mr Dwyer said his client wished to avail of assistance from the International Organisation for Migration in order to return to South Africa after his sentence where he hopes to live with his grandmother. CNI source report

Case subjects

Xolani Mdakani

Defendant

Charges: assaulting the woman causing her harm at Henry Place, Dublin 1 on February 9, 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Dwyer said his client wished to avail of assistance from the International Organisation for Migration in order to return to South Africa after his sentence where he hopes to live with his grandmother.; Judge Melanie Greally referred the case to the Probation Service and adjourned sentencing until February 23, 2021.

Places mentioned

Residence
  • St Margaret's Road
  • Dublin
  • Henry Lane
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Incident
Address Area
  • Moore Street Lane

Topics

Burglary Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request