Courts / Wexford / Report
Court upholds sentence of 'predator' jailed for raping schoolgirl 20 times
Summary
John Giltrap, 61, of Termonbarry, Bunclody, was found guilty of 20 counts of raping Caroline Kavanagh, aged 10 to 15, at various sites in Bunclody between December 1978 and March 1982. He had pleaded not guilty to 22 counts. In December 2020, Mr Justice Michael McGrath sentenced him to 11 years' imprisonment on each count. Giltrap appealed for a reduction, arguing that he was 18 to 23 at the time of the offences, that his relationship had dissolved, that he was married with children, and that his health was poor. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal in January. Today, Mr Justice John Edwards upheld the 11‑year sentence, stating there was no error in principle and that the original judge had already applied generous mitigation. The appeal was dismissed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court upholds sentence of 'predator' jailed for raping schoolgirl 20 times. Charges or matters: 22 counts of raping Caroline Kavanagh at various locations in Bunclody between December 1978 and March 1982. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- December 1978 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 1982 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-06-23 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: 22 counts of raping Caroline Kavanagh at various locations in Bunclody between December 1978 and March 1982 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: A jury at the Central Criminal Court in Kilkenny however found him guilty on 20 of the charges and in December 2020 he was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment on each count by Mr Justice Michael McGrath. Fiona Murphy SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the court that the sentencing judge had discounted Giltrap's sentence by four years and this represented a significant reduction given that the appellant had failed to acknowledge his guilt.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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