Courts / Wexford / Report

Wexford man jailed for threats to kill and handbag robberies

Date
2016-02-23

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Gorey

County
Wexford

Summary

John Stokes, 25, of Beachside, Riverchapel, Gorey, was jailed for five and a half years for a series of violent and theft offences. He first threatened a woman, Mary Kate McDonagh, with a crossbow in December 2014, then robbed a handbag from a woman in Ballsbridge in January 2015, and again stole a handbag from an elderly lady in Baggot Street in February 2015. Stokes had 48 prior convictions, mainly for traffic offences but also for theft, robbery, false imprisonment, burglary and knife possession. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to five and a half years, suspending the final 18 months on the condition he engage with the Probation Service for two years. The sentence reflected the seriousness of each offence and Stokes' history of drug use and lack of post‑release supervision.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Wexford man jailed for threats to kill and handbag robberies. Charges or matters: production of a crossbow while threatening to kill Ms McDonagh at Pearse House, Pearse Street, Dublin on December 28, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 28, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
January 24, 2015 Incident
February 19, 2015 Incident
December 2014 Incident
2016-02-23 Publication

Why: Ms Walsh was left with a black eye and a bruised face and her victim impact statement said she was embarrassed for some time after the mugging because of her injuries. CNI source report

Case subjects

John Stokes

Defendant

Charges: production of a crossbow while threatening to kill Ms McDonagh at Pearse House, Pearse Street, Dublin on December 28, 2014 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Stokes to five and half years in prison with the final 18 months suspended on condition that he engage with the Probation Service for two years upon his release.