Courts / Ireland / Report
Married man who intimidated sex worker has jail sentence cut in half
Summary
A 40‑year‑old married father of three from Munster, who had been convicted of threatening a sex worker in 2010, had his 18‑month jail term reduced to nine months on appeal. He had pleaded not guilty to two counts of threatening or putting a witness in fear between April 29 and May 28, 2010. A jury found him guilty after a six‑day trial and he was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with 18 months suspended, by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy on 25 January 2016. On appeal, the Court of Appeal held that insufficient weight had been given to his status as a first‑time offender and to the severe impact incarceration would have on his very young family. Mr Justice Alan Mahon noted that the man had sent "lurid and threatening" messages to the sex worker, threatening to expose her work to her family and neighbours unless she withdrew criminal allegations.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Married man who intimidated sex worker has jail sentence cut in half. Charges or matters: two counts of threatening or putting a witness in a garda investigation in fear on dates between April 29 and May 28, 2010. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- April 29 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 28, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 25, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-06-16 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: two counts of threatening or putting a witness in a garda investigation in fear on dates between April 29 and May 28, 2010 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; He was found guilty by a jury following a six day trial and sentenced to three years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy on January 25, 2016.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
Topics
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request