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Brazilian woman who stashed cocaine pellets in her vagina has jail term cut on appeal
Summary
Christiane Moringa Fortis, 28, of São Paulo, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to importing €64,000 worth of cocaine at Dublin Airport on 14 May 2014. She was originally sentenced to four years' imprisonment on 16 December 2014. On appeal, the Court of Appeal found the sentencing judge had erred in his approach. The three‑judge panel, led by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, imposed a new sentence of four years' imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended. Fortis had admitted possession of the drug, revealing 10 pellets in her vagina and additional pellets in her bra, underwear and sanitary towels. She claimed she was motivated by a need for money to pay legal fees to regain custody of her seven‑year‑old child in Brazil. She had no prior convictions and expressed remorse. The appeal concluded that she must serve a sentence to act as a deterrent, but the suspended portion was applied.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Brazilian woman who stashed cocaine pellets in her vagina has jail term cut on appeal. Charges or matters: the importation of cocaine worth €64,000 at Dublin Airport on May 14, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- May 14, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 16 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-10-22 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the importation of cocaine worth €64,000 at Dublin Airport on May 14, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Fortis successfully appealed her sentence today on grounds that the Circuit Court judge erred in his approach to sentencing and accordingly, the Court of Appeal imposed a new sentence on her of four years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended. Accordingly, Mr Justice Sheehan, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice John Edwards, imposed a new sentence on her of four years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Beaumont Hospital
Topics
Airport Incidents Drugs Stage Appeal
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