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Violent offender who raped ex during imprisonment ordeal argues 'goading' videos should not have gone before jury

Summary

The 48‑year‑old defendant, whose name is withheld to protect the victim, was convicted of rape at his home in the midlands on 7 August 2018. The Central Criminal Court in Tullamore found him guilty after a February trial, and he received a nine‑year jail sentence for the rape, with a four‑and‑a‑half‑year term for assault and false imprisonment, the final year suspended. He appealed, arguing that two "goading" videos taken on his phone before the alleged rape were inadmissible and prejudicial. The Court of Appeal heard the case on 26 July 2024, with counsel for the State maintaining the videos were admissible for credibility, while the defence claimed they were irrelevant and highly prejudicial. The court will decide after the summer break. The defendant continues to deny the offence and has shown no remorse or rehabilitation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Violent offender who raped ex during imprisonment ordeal argues 'goading' videos should not have gone before jury. Charges or matters: rape at his home in the midlands on August 7, 2018; assaulting the woman causing her harm and was convicted by a jury of false imprisonment of the woman on the same occasion during a previous trial in 2022. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

• August 7, 2018 Incident
• 2024-07-26 Publication

Why: Gerard Clarke SC, for the State, argued that the videos were admissible, largely because of the issue of credibility. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report