Courts / Ireland / Report
Man jailed for repeated rape of 6-year-old girl has sentence reduced
Summary
In County Clare, a 26‑year‑old man was originally sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment for serial sodomisation of a six‑year‑old girl between 2009 and 2012, with five years suspended. His appeal argued the starting point was too high. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, found the original 18‑year sentence "out of line" with comparable cases and recommended a 15‑year starting point. The judge then reduced the sentence to 12 years, suspending the final two years for the rape offences. A separate eight‑year sentence was imposed for the sexual assault count, to run concurrently, and two years of post‑release supervision were added. The defendant entered a good‑behaviour bond and agreed to comply with it. The decision reflects the court's assessment of the plea, the defendant's youth, family circumstances, and progress in prison. The unnamed 26-year-old pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man jailed for repeated rape of 6-year-old girl has sentence reduced. Charges or matters: one sample count each of section 4 rape and sexual assault of the girl between 2009 and 2012 in County Clare. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 20, 2015 Incident
- 2009 and 2012 Incident
- 2016-07-07 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: one sample count each of section 4 rape and sexual assault of the girl between 2009 and 2012 in County Clare (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment with the final five suspended by Mr Justice Tony Hunt on July 20, 2015. The man was re-sentenced to 12 years imprisonment with the final two suspended for the rape offences.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Appeal's view
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Appeal Violent Crime
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