Courts / Limerick / Report
Increased sentence for heroin addict who put knife to woman's throat during hijacking
Summary
James Kelly, a 25‑year‑old chronic heroin addict, was convicted at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court for false imprisonment, unlawful vehicle taking and robbery at Colbert Station on 4 May 2011. He pleaded guilty and was originally sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. Prosecutors appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient, and the Court of Appeal increased the term to eight years' imprisonment, again suspending the final two years. The appeal judge, Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, recounted the incident: a woman had disembarked from a train at Colbert Station, entered her car, and was confronted by Kelly. He threatened her with a knife, demanded money, and forced her to drive him to Moyross. After obtaining the money, he left the vehicle and the woman drove to a Garda station.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Increased sentence for heroin addict who put knife to woman's throat during hijacking. Charges or matters: false imprisonment, the unlawful taking of a vehicle and robbery at Colbert Station, Limerick on May 4 2011. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- May 4 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 27 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-06-04 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: false imprisonment, the unlawful taking of a vehicle and robbery at Colbert Station, Limerick on May 4 2011 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to six years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Mr Justice Carroll Moran on October 27 2011. The Director of Public Prosecution successfully sought a review of Kelly's sentence on the grounds that it was "unduly lenient" and a new sentence of eight years imprisonment with the final two suspended was imposed on him by the Court of Appeal today.
Places mentioned
- Limerick
- Limerick Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- nearby garda station
Topics
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