Courts / Cork / Report

Cork man whose attack left victim needing emergency brain surgery has jail sentence halved on appeal

Date
2016-02-12

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Cork

County
Cork

Summary

Kris Collins, 25, of Murphy's Rock, Old Mallow Road, Cork, pleaded guilty to a headbutt assault on a man in Cork City on 7 September 2014. The assault caused serious harm, leading to a clot between the skull and brain and emergency neurosurgery. He was originally sentenced to eight years' imprisonment on 17 June 2015. On appeal, the Court of Appeal re‑sentenced him to five years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended on condition of a two‑year good‑behaviour bond. The judge noted the victim's wife had been told to "prepare for the worst" and that the victim's life had been severely disrupted, including financial hardship. Collins had 15 prior convictions, had paid €4,000 in compensation, and had offered cooperation and a guilty plea, factors cited as mitigating in the appeal decision.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cork man whose attack left victim needing emergency brain surgery has jail sentence halved on appeal. Charges or matters: assaulting a man causing him serious harm in Cork City on September 7, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

September 7, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
June 17, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
2016-02-12 Publication

Case subjects

Kris Collins

Appellant

Charges: assaulting a man causing him serious harm in Cork City on September 7, 2014 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He was sentenced to eight years imprisonment by Judge Donagh McDonagh at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on June 17, 2015. Collins successfully appealed his sentence today and the Court of Appeal re-sentenced him to five years imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended.