Courts / Ireland / Report
Sex offender who broke into ex's home has sentence increased
Summary
A 50‑year‑old convicted sex offender, whose identity is withheld to protect his victim, had his sentence increased at the Court of Appeal after the State appealed his original 5½‑year term. The man broke into his ex‑partner's home in the middle of the night, armed with a hook‑like gardening implement, and sexually assaulted her after striking her with the tool. He also assaulted her in the living room during a struggle. The original judge had sentenced him to 5½ years for aggravated burglary (final year suspended) and 5 years for sexual assault (final six months suspended), plus additional terms for assault causing harm, criminal damage and making threats to kill. The appeal argued the sentence was unduly lenient. The Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence, set a headline sentence of nine years, suspended two and a half years, and ordered probation and a safety order after the 5½‑year custodial term. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sex offender who broke into ex's home has sentence increased. Charges or matters: all charges, had shown "no remorse" and had offered no apology. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 17, 2020 Incident
- 2022-11-17 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: all charges, had shown "no remorse" and had offered no apology (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: The man (50), who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim, was sentenced last January to five-and-a-half years' imprisonment with the final year suspended. Judge Eugene O'Kelly sentenced the man to five-and-a-half years' imprisonment for the aggravated burglary with the final year suspended and to five years for the sexual assault with the final six months suspended.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Burglary Stage Appeal Violent Crime
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