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Account seeks to halt alleged knife attack retrial, says he will seek €2bn from State
Summary
Sidney Sutton, 46, of Ashbourne, has appealed a High Court refusal to halt a retrial of a 2017 knife‑assault case that was originally described as "extreme domestic violence." Sutton was convicted of four assault counts, one assault causing harm and one knife‑producing count, and sentenced to two years with 12 months suspended. The Court of Appeal later increased his sentence to 16 months, then quashed the conviction in 2021 and ordered a retrial. Sutton applied for a judicial review to prohibit the second trial, alleging malicious prosecution, corruption and unfairness, but Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty denied the application, citing no evidence of bias or malice. Sutton has now appealed that decision and requested an adjournment, arguing he has not had enough time to prepare and that he is innocent. The Court of Appeal has adjourned the matter until 10 October, while Sutton threatens to seek €2 billion from the State if the case is overturned.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Account seeks to halt alleged knife attack retrial, says he will seek €2bn from State. Charges or matters: four counts of assault, one of assault causing harm and one count of producing a knife capable of inflicting serious injury following a Circuit Court trial in 2017. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- February 6, 2016 Incident
- October 2015 Incident
- April 2021 Incident
- October 10 Adjournment
- 2024-07-01 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: four counts of assault, one of assault causing harm and one count of producing a knife capable of inflicting serious injury following a Circuit Court trial in 2017 (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Mr Sutton was sentenced to two years with the final 12 months suspended, but the Court of Appeal then ruled that sentence was too lenient and ordered him to serve a further 16 months, with Mr Justice John Edwards describing the alleged stabbing as "the culmination of a prolonged incident involving extreme domestic violence." However, in April 2021 the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction and acceded to the DPP's application for a retrial.; Ms Justice Tara Burns, on behalf of the three-judge court, said that the matter would be adjourned until October 10 next. "I want to tell the State that when the case is overturned, I want two billion euro," said Mr Sutton.
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