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Eight years for rapist who told woman he was going to "take her up to the mountains and chop her up"
Summary
Robert Melia, aged 48, was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to false imprisonment, assault causing harm and making threats to kill. The case stemmed from an incident on 19 May 2013 at the Caulfields Hotel, where Melia forced a drug‑addicted woman to jump from a first‑floor window, threatened to take her to the mountains and chop her up, and strangled her. He had previously been convicted of rape in 1987 and had three other violent sexual assault convictions in October 1997. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a ten‑year sentence, suspending the last three years on the condition of good behaviour for three years. The court noted Melia's pattern of extreme hostility and violence towards women. The victim suffered fractures, bruising and ongoing psychological trauma, but did not attend the hearing as she was in a drug treatment programme. The case was prosecuted by Ronan Kennedy BL.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Eight years for rapist who told woman he was going to "take her up to the mountains and chop her up". Charges or matters: charges of false imprisonment, assault causing harm and making threats to kill at the Caulfields Hotel, Dorset Street Lower, Dublin on May 19, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 1997 Incident
- July 1991 Incident
- May 19, 2013 Incident
- February 2013 Incident
- 2015-01-12 Publication
Why: Detective Garda Martin McInerney told the court that the victim was forced to jump out of the first floor window of the hotel room because she believed he was going to kill her. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: charges of false imprisonment, assault causing harm and making threats to kill at the Caulfields Hotel, Dorset Street Lower, Dublin on May 19, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan suspended the last three years of a ten year sentence on condition that Melia be of good behaviour for three years after his release. He also jailed the father of four for one year for an offence of possessing stolen social welfare cheques at Cappagh Post Office, Finglas on dates in January and February 2013, resulting in an effective eight year sentence.
Places mentioned
- Shangan Gardens
- Ballymun
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Dorset Street
- Dublin
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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