Courts / Dublin / Report

Teen who robbed and falsely imprisoned group of boys has sentence reduced

Date
2020-06-09
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a case involving a 17‑year‑old who robbed, falsely imprisoned and assaulted three 15‑year‑old boys in St Aidan's Park, Marino, the Court of Appeal reduced his four‑year sentence. The teenager, who was part of a group that forced the boys to hand over phones and money or face stabbing, later kicked and punched one boy. He pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery, two counts of assault causing harm and three counts of false imprisonment. The original sentence, imposed by Judge Martin Nolan on 12 April 2019, was four years' detention. On appeal, the Court of Appeal found that the sentencing judge had erred by not deferring the sentence until after the offender turned 18, which would have allowed part of the term to be suspended.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Teen who robbed and falsely imprisoned group of boys has sentence reduced. Charges or matters: three counts of robbery, two counts of assault causing harm and three counts of false imprisonment. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Why: The offender, who cannot be named because he was a minor at the time, was part of a group who had approached three 15-year-old boys in St Aidan's Park, Marino and ordered them to leave. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 15-year-old

Appellant

Charges: three counts of robbery, two counts of assault causing harm and three counts of false imprisonment (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Elva Duffy BL, had argued that the judge imposed a balanced sentence. The Court of Appeal today allowed his appeal and quashed the sentence imposed in the Circuit Criminal Court.; The Court of Appeal found that the teenager should have had his sentencing adjourned until after he was 18 so that part of it could be suspended.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Court of Appeal
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
  • Circuit Criminal Court
Address Area
  • St Aidan's Park
  • Fairview Park

Topics

Stage Appeal Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report

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