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Serial sex offender who 'lured' escorts fails to overturn 18-year prison sentence
Summary
Aaron Barwell, 30, of Coldcut Park, Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of oral rape, one of rape and one of attempted rape against three escort victims between January and August 2021. He lured each victim to his home, used violence and threats, and in the first case forced oral sex and used a hammer. In the second case he threatened with a screwdriver and forced oral, vaginal and anal sex. In the third case he threatened to kill her and used a screwdriver, but the victim resisted and escaped. Gardaí seized a knife, cable ties and a silver hammer during a search of his apartment. Barwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with the final two years suspended. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, upholding the 20‑year term and the suspended portion. The case remains at the appellate stage.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Serial sex offender who 'lured' escorts fails to overturn 18-year prison sentence. Charges or matters: one count of oral rape, one of rape and one of attempted rape on dates between January and August 2021. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- August 2021 Other
- July 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 29, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 13, 2021 Incident
- August 27 Incident
- 2025-10-13 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: one count of oral rape, one of rape and one of attempted rape on dates between January and August 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Barwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with the final two years suspended by Mr Justice Tony Hunt at the Central Criminal Court in July 2024. Barwell's personal circumstances were also properly taken into account and were reflected in the reduction of seven years to a baseline sentence of 20 years, Mr Justice Edwards said adding the judge then went further and suspended two years to incentivise rehabilitation. "We consider this was generous," he added.
Places mentioned
- Coldcut Park
- Dublin
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- nearby garda station
Topics
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