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Suspended sentence for bank worker who left medical student blind in one eye after assault
Summary
Robert Jones, a 26-year-old bank worker from Tallaght, Dublin, received a suspended sentence of 18 months at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault causing harm. Jones pleaded guilty to the charge, which carries a maximum penalty of five years, after the Director of Public Prosecutions agreed to withdraw a more serious charge of assault causing serious harm, which carried a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. A nolle prosequi was entered on the withdrawn charge. The incident occurred on July 20, 2014, at Palace night-club, Camden Street, where Jones allegedly struck victim Brian Murphy with a pint glass, leaving the medical student blind in one eye. Judge John Aylmer noted that while he made no determination on provocation, he was legally bound to give Jones the benefit of the doubt regarding witness accounts of provocation. The judge cited Jones' impeccable character, the spontaneous nature of the act, and the fact that a custodial sentence would destroy Jones' career prospects, thereby affecting the victim's ability to seek civil compensation. Jones brought €8,000 to court as a token of remorse. The court heard that Jones had previously faced trial on the more serious offence before pleading guilty to the lesser charge.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for bank worker who left medical student blind in one eye after assault. Charges or matters: assault causing harm at Palace night-club, Camden Street, Dublin city, on July 20, 2014; the lesser charge once the DPP agreed to withdraw the more serious offence. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 20, 2014 Incident
- 2016-02-24 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm at Palace night-club, Camden Street, Dublin city, on July 20, 2014; the lesser charge once the DPP agreed to withdraw the more serious offence (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He pointed out that a custodial sentence would likely destroy Jones' career prospects, which would affect the victim's ability to seek civil compensation from him. Garda Trowell told the court that Jones had faced trial charged with the assault causing harm and a more serious offence of assault causing serious harm which came with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Camden Street
- Dublin city
- Dublin
- Camden Street
Topics
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