Courts / Dublin / Report

Sex offending serial burglar bit garda after being brought to A&E

Date
2021-11-16

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

Derek Stanley, 35, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for assault causing harm after biting a Garda who had taken him to Mater Hospital's A&E. The court heard that Stanley, previously jailed for sex offences, had feigned illness after breaking into a restaurant on Dorset Street. He was brought to the hospital by Gardaí, resisted restraint, and during a struggle bit a Garda's finger, breaking the skin, and attempted to bite others. The judge, Pauline Codd, noted the offence was aggravated by the victim's status as a Garda and Stanley's feigned medical condition. The sentence was suspended for 12 months, to run consecutively with the 2½‑year sentence he is currently serving. The Garda who was bitten sustained no permanent injury and missed no work. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Derek Stanley pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Sex offending serial burglar bit garda after being brought to A&E. Charges or matters: assault causing harm at Mater Hospital, Dublin City centre, and to burglary at Wasabi Bar & Grill, Dorset St Lower, Dublin City centre, both on February 27, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

February 27, 2021 Incident
2021-11-16 Publication

Case subjects

Derek Stanley

Defendant

Charges: assault causing harm at Mater Hospital, Dublin City centre, and to burglary at Wasabi Bar & Grill, Dorset St Lower, Dublin City centre, both on February 27, 2021 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Pauline Codd said Stanley engaged in a "charade" about his medical condition, took up the time of busy practitioners and gardaí, and then "caused havoc". Judge Codd sentenced Stanley to five years imprisonment but suspended the final 12 months of the sentence on strict conditions.