Dean Ward’s appeal against convictions for rape and coercive control rejected

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Dean Ward’s appeal against convictions for four assaults, false imprisonment, making a threat to kill, two counts of production of articles, three counts of rape and coercive control was rejected by Mr Justice John Edwards. The convictions followed a trial in June 2022 concerning offences between June 11 and July 17, 2019.

At the Central Criminal Court in July 2022, Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo imposed a headline sentence of 18 years and suspended one year on condition that Ward obey Probation Service instructions after his release; he was jailed for 17 years. Ward maintains his innocence. His appeal challenged evidence about alleged previous attempts to kill Sinéad O'Neill, money transfers and the effects of the abuse. The proceedings were reported on 12 December 2025.