Courts / Dublin / Report

Five-year jail term for violent home invader who stabbed victim nine times

Date
2020-10-06

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 6 October 2020, Thomas Locke, aged 28, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for aggravated burglary and assault causing harm, with the final two years suspended. Locke, who claimed no recollection of the events, was found guilty of stabbing a 24‑year‑old victim nine times, including a wound that pierced the victim's kidney. The victim described the ordeal as lasting an hour, with significant injuries and lasting psychological impact. Locke was identified through forensic evidence, including gloves, a beer can, and knives found at the scene, and was noted to have a history of drug addiction. The judge took into account Locke's plea of guilty and his addiction difficulties when determining the sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Five-year jail term for violent home invader who stabbed victim nine times. Charges or matters: aggravated burglary and assault causing harm to the 24-year-old victim on July 18, 2017 in his Dublin home. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 18, 2017 Incident
2020-10-06 Publication

Why: The burglar demanded the car keys but when the man told him he did not have them because the vehicle belonged to his mother, Locke forced him downstairs to look for them. CNI source report