Courts / Ireland / Report
Teen who defiled girl seeks reduction in sentence before transfer to adult jail
Summary
In a Court of Appeal hearing, 18‑year‑old Michael Bowman, representing a young man who defiled a 15‑year‑old girl at a party in 2018, argued for a reduction of the 18‑month sentence imposed for the offence under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006. Bowman highlighted that the defendant had pleaded guilty early, had no prior convictions, had shown good behaviour, and had suffered personal trauma. He also pointed out that a procedural delay—caused by a Garda repeatedly calling the wrong address—meant the defendant would serve most of his sentence in an adult prison, a circumstance he claimed should have been weighted more heavily. The prosecution, represented by Paul Greene SC, said the delay was not prejudicial. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice George Birmingham, was expected to deliver a judgment within a few days.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Teen who defiled girl seeks reduction in sentence before transfer to adult jail. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 27, 2020 Other
- August 9, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 19, 2018 Incident
- May 2020 Incident
- 2021-04-13 Publication
Why: It emerged during a sentence hearing that the prosecution was delayed because a garda looking to take a statement from the defendant repeatedly called to the wrong address. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He further pointed out that the sentence imposed represented a 70 percent decrease from the five-year headline sentence that the sentencing judge said would have been appropriate for an adult who committed the same offence.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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