Courts / Meath / Report
Rapist who argued victim 'might have turned something that wasn't a rape into rape' fails in appeal
Summary
A rapist who argued that his victim "might have turned something that wasn't a rape into a rape" after her parents discovered emergency contraception pills has failed in his appeal. Matthew Fadeyi, 36, was convicted of raping a young woman in 2018 and received a six-and-a-half-year sentence, with the final year suspended. His legal team argued that the failure to interview the victim's parents prejudiced his trial, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, stating there was no evidence of prejudice. Fadeyi's counsel suggested the victim may have fabricated the rape allegation after her parents found the pills, but the court rejected this argument, noting it was inconsistent with the defence case at trial. The appeal was also dismissed because the defence had previously argued the victim had invented the allegation to protect her relationship. The court upheld Fadeyi's conviction, emphasizing that the evidence supported the prosecution's case and that the appeal arguments were not credible.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Rapist who argued victim 'might have turned something that wasn't a rape into rape' fails in appeal. Charges or matters: one count of rape following a retrial in May 2024, after a jury failed to reach a verdict at his first trial in 2021. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- August 21, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2026-02-17 Publication
Why: Barristers for Matthew Fadeyi (36) had argued that his trial was prejudiced because gardai failed to take statements from the victim's parents. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: one count of rape following a retrial in May 2024, after a jury failed to reach a verdict at his first trial in 2021 (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Fadeyi was sentenced by Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo to six-and-a-half years imprisonment, with the final year suspended.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Birch Drive
- Navan
Topics
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