Courts / Dublin / Report
Convicted rapist jailed for brandishing knife at shop worker
Summary
John English, 47, of Dublin 2, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with the final three months suspended for six months, after pleading guilty to brandishing a small knife at a shop worker on South Circular Road. The incident followed English's theft of a Pot Noodle earlier that day, when he was denied service. CCTV footage showed him shouting abuse at the male shop worker while holding the knife, and a female security guard was also engaged. English has about 130 convictions, including a rape conviction from 2004, and most of his offences since 2014 are public order crimes. He is homeless, an alcoholic, and has struggled with drug use. The judge noted his guilty plea, personal circumstances and addiction issues as mitigating factors, but imposed a headline sentence of two years to deter similar conduct. The suspended portion is subject to strict conditions, including supervision by Probation Services.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Convicted rapist jailed for brandishing knife at shop worker. Charges or matters: production of a knife on June 6, 2023 at Centra on South Circular Road, Co Dublin. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 6, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-10-22 Publication
Why: Mr Spencer said his client instructs he was carrying a knife because he is homeless. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: production of a knife on June 6, 2023 at Centra on South Circular Road, Co Dublin (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Codd imposed an 18-month sentence with the final three months suspended for six months under strict conditions including that English place himself under the supervision of Probation Services.
Places mentioned
- South Circular Road
- English place
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Drugs Public Order Stage Sentence Theft
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