Courts / Monaghan / Report

"Ringleader" of jewellery store robbery has sentence reduced on appeal

Date
2016-05-26
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Castleblayney
County
Monaghan

Summary

A man convicted of leading a jewellery store robbery in Castleblayney has had his prison sentence reduced on appeal. Moise Rostas, aged 25, pleaded guilty at Monaghan Circuit Criminal Court to stealing €20,000 worth of jewellery from McGuigan's Jewellers on Main Street on 28 December 2012. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment in January 2016. The Court of Appeal reduced his term, suspending the final nine months subject to payment of €5,000 compensation. Mr Justice Alan Mahon found the sentencing judge erred by suggesting the shopowner and employee were present during the theft, when they had not been. The judge noted Rostas had no previous convictions and was already demonstrating rehabilitation in custody. The Court of Appeal imposed a two-year good behaviour bond on release. The jewellery was never recovered. Following the robbery, the business subsequently closed.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Ringleader" of jewellery store robbery has sentence reduced on appeal. Charges or matters: stealing €20,000 worth of jewellery from McGuigan's Jewellers, Main Street, Castleblayney on December 28, 2012. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Case subjects

Moise Rostas

Appellant

Charges: stealing €20,000 worth of jewellery from McGuigan's Jewellers, Main Street, Castleblayney on December 28, 2012 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He was sentenced to three years imprisonment by Judge John O'Hagan on January 19, 2016. Mr Justice Mahon, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, said the court would re-sentence Rostas to three years imprisonment with the final nine months suspended.

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Monaghan
  • Monaghan Circuit Criminal Court
  • Court of Appeal

Topics

Stage Appeal Theft

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