Courts / Dublin / Report

"Devout Muslim" who tried to murder his wife after becoming resentful of her independence has jail term cut on appeal

Date
2015-10-20

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

A 'Devout Muslim' who attempted to murder his wife by bludgeoning her in the head with a kettle-bell has had his jail term reduced on appeal. Lounes Ouachek (45), of St Dominic's Terrace, Tallaght, Dublin 24, had pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the attempted murder of Ruta Ouachek (35) at that address on August 23 2012. He was initially sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with the final three suspended by Mr Justice Paul Carney on July 21 2014. The Court of Appeal found that the sentencing judge erred in failing to take account of any other potential mitigating factors in Ouachek's favour and, accordingly, imposed a new sentence on him of 15 years imprisonment with the final four suspended. Mr Justice Edwards, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice Alan Mahon, quashed the existing sentence and imposed the new sentence. Ouachek was required to enter into his own bond of €1,000 to keep the peace and be of good behaviour while in custody and for a period of four years post release. He was also required to comply with all directions of the probation service and to have no contact with the victim in perpetuity. The matter was adjourned.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Devout Muslim" who tried to murder his wife after becoming resentful of her independence has jail term cut on appeal. Charges or matters: the attempted murder of Ruta Ouachek (35) at that address on August 23 2012. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

August 23 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
July 21 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
May 2012 Other
August 23 Other
2015-10-20 Publication

Case subjects

Devout Muslim

Defendant

Lounes Ouachek

Appellant

Charges: the attempted murder of Ruta Ouachek (35) at that address on August 23 2012 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: The Court of Appeal found today that the sentencing judge erred in failing to take account of any other potential mitigating factors in Ouachek's favour and, accordingly, imposed a new sentence on him of 15 years imprisonment with the final four suspended. Mr Justice Edwards, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice Alan Mahon, quashed the existing sentence and imposed a new sentence on Ouachek of 15 years imprisonment with the final four years suspended.