Courts / Cork / Report
Rapist who threatened to cut off partner's fingers with secateurs launches appeal
Summary
A man who threatened to cut off his former partner's fingers with garden secateurs and repeatedly raped her has appealed his conviction, claiming the trial judge failed to adequately explain the defence case to the jury. He was convicted of two counts of rape, two of oral rape, two of sexual assault and two threats to kill or cause serious harm, and was jailed for ten years. The appeal argues the judge neglected to summarise the defence case and to properly charge the jury on the doctrine of recent complaint evidence, which the defence said was essential to show an honest belief of consent. The DPP's counsel said the judge had properly charged the jury. The court will reserve judgement. The victim, who fled her home after the attack, described living in fear and the lasting impact of the man's threats. The unnamed accused pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Rapist who threatened to cut off partner's fingers with secateurs launches appeal. Charges or matters: interfering with a witness in a criminal investigation, trespass, assault causing harm, criminal damage and making a threat to kill. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 2022 Incident
- August 2, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-11-08 Publication
Why: She did not initially go to gardaí because of how it might affect her children and during that time she said she was afraid to be on the streets. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: interfering with a witness in a criminal investigation, trespass, assault causing harm, criminal damage and making a threat to kill (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The man, who cannot be named to protect the woman's anonymity, was convicted of two counts of rape, two of oral rape, two of sexual assault and two threats to kill or cause serious harm following a trial before Mr Justice Tony Hunt at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork and was jailed for ten years.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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