Rapist has sentence increased following DPP appeal

A man has had his sentence increased following an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions on grounds of undue leniency. Aurelijus Kizelavicius, aged 23, of Knocktornagh, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, pleaded guilty to rape and assault causing harm to a woman on 29 March 2015. The Central Criminal Court heard the woman had accepted a late-night lift from Kizelavicius after becoming stranded in Monaghan town. Upon reaching her home, he attacked her with repeated punches to the face before sexually assaulting her. Mr Justice Paul Butler originally imposed a five-year sentence with the final two years suspended in April 2018. The Court of Appeal today increased the custodial term to seven years with the final two suspended. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy described the offence as a serious rape involving significant additional violence. She noted the victim sustained facial injuries and referenced adverse probation reports and disciplinary breaches in custody. The court also heard the man has agreed to participate in a sex offenders programme.