Courts / Carlow / Report

Violent rapist fails in appeal against 10-year jail term

Date
2021-10-19
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Carlow
County
Carlow

Summary

Ibrahim Ahmed Gharib, 43, an Egyptian national, was convicted of raping a 27‑year‑old foreign student in her home after following her from a bus stop. He also denied sexual assault on a bus journey from Dublin to Carlow. In February 2018, a jury at the Central Criminal Court sentenced him to 12 years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, following a three‑week trial. Gharib appealed to reduce the sentence, arguing the 12‑year term was too high and that the judge should have suspended a larger portion. The Court of Appeal rejected the appeal. Judge George Birmingham upheld the original sentence, noting the victim endured significant violence, a threat to kill, and no remorse from Gharib. The court recorded the victim's impact statement, describing her fear and loss of trust after the assault. Ibrahim Ahmed Gharib pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Violent rapist fails in appeal against 10-year jail term. Charges or matters: raping, sexual assaulting and threatening to kill the woman at her home between July 7 and 8, 2016. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Case subjects

Ibrahim Ahmed Gharib

Appellant

Charges: raping, sexual assaulting and threatening to kill the woman at her home between July 7 and 8, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: But a jury did not accept his pleas and in February 2018, Gharib, of Dolmen Heights, Pollerton, Co Carlow, was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy following a three-week trial at the Central Criminal Court. Lawyers for Gharib submitted to the court that the headline sentence of 12 years for the offence had been set too high.

Places mentioned

Residence
Incident
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
  • Court of Appeal
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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