Courts / Cork / Report
Eight-year term upheld for violent criminal with 146 previous convictions who tried to murder man in bottle attack
Summary
An eight-year prison sentence for Aaron Babbington, who attacked a man with a broken bottle, was upheld by the Court of Appeal. Babbington, who has 146 previous convictions, was found guilty of attempted murder after an unprovoked attack on Jason Butler, who died two days later. The sentencing judge had imposed a 10-year sentence with the final two years suspended, considering Babbington's plea and potential for rehabilitation. The Director of Public Prosecutions argued the sentence was unduly lenient, but the Court of Appeal rejected this, noting that the judge had considered both aggravating and mitigating factors. Babbington's defense argued that the incident was out of character for him and that the reduction from the headline sentence was within the court's discretion. The court concluded that the sentence was not a gross departure from the norm and dismissed the appeal.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Eight-year term upheld for violent criminal with 146 previous convictions who tried to murder man in bottle attack. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- June 14, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 2025 Incident
- 2026-06-15 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Outcome: At the Court of Appeal today, counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Marjorie Farrelly SC, said that the sentence imposed was unduly lenient. Ms Justice Kennedy said the court was not persuaded that the sentence imposed was a gross departure from the norm.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- The Central Criminal Court
- Churchfield Avenue
- Cork
- Cork University Hospital
Topics
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