Courts / Dublin / Report

Burglar gets 3-month prison term increased tenfold after DPP appeal

Date
2018-04-26
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Richard Evans, aged 34, was originally sentenced to three months' imprisonment for burglary of a domestic dwelling in Dublin on 18 February 2015. He had 127 prior convictions, 17 of which were for burglary. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient. The Court of Appeal, hearing the case on 26 April 2018, increased the sentence to two years and six months' imprisonment, with the final nine months suspended. The court noted that Evans had previously served a suspended burglary sentence that had been activated and was currently being served. The judge highlighted Evans' extensive criminal history and the seriousness of the burglary offence, concluding the original three‑month term was too light. The new sentence reflects the Court of Appeal's view that the burglary offence warranted a harsher penalty than the concurrent criminal damage sentence. Richard Evans pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Burglar gets 3-month prison term increased tenfold after DPP appeal. Charges or matters: the offence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was sentenced to three months imprisonment by Judge Petria McDonnell on February 6, 2017. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Case subjects

Richard Evans

Convicted Person

Charges: the offence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was sentenced to three months imprisonment by Judge Petria McDonnell on February 6, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Justice Mahon said the Circuit Court judge had sentenced Evans to 12 months imprisonment in respect of criminal damage, with the final six months suspended, before imposing a concurrent three month sentence in respect of the burglary. Mr Justice Mahon, who sat with Mr Justice John Edwards and Mr Justice John Hedigan, re-sentenced Evans to two years and six months imprisonment with the final nine months suspended

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Court of Appeal
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
Incident
  • Coke Lane

Topics

Burglary Stage Appeal

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