Ireland Man's jail sentence for abusing two younger sisters increased on appeal
Christopher Rafter, a man aged 49 from Portlaoise in County Laois, pleaded guilty to the rape and sexual assault of his two younger sisters. The offending took place at the family home between 1989 and 1993, when he was aged 14 to 19, and the sisters disclosed it. In June 2022 he was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court by Mr Justice Paul McDermott to four and a half years' imprisonment, and the State appealed that sentence as unduly lenient. On 19 May 2023 the Court of Appeal found the sentence a substantial departure from the norm, quashed it and re-sentenced Rafter to seven years with the final 12 months suspended, although the article's opening line gives six years instead.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced19 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Christopher Rafter pleaded guilty to the rape and sexual assault of his two younger sisters.
- Where
- The offences took place at the family home.
- Rafter, aged 49 at sentencing, is from The Hermitage, Portlaoise, County Laois.
- When
- The offending took place between 1989 and 1993, when Rafter was aged 14 to 19.
- The Court of Appeal decision was reported on 19 May 2023.
- Investigation
- The sisters disclosed the abuse, and Rafter admitted what he had done when confronted at a family gathering.
- In court
- In June 2022 Rafter was sentenced to four and a half years' imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court by Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
- The Court of Appeal said the sentence was a substantial departure from the norm and amounted to an error in principle.
- Charges
- The State appealed the original sentence as unduly lenient.
- Sentence
- The Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence and re-sentenced Rafter to seven years' imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended, although the article's opening line says six years.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whatChristopher Rafter pleaded guilty to the rape and sexual assault of his two younger sisters. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe abuse took place at the family home. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe offending took place on dates between 1989 and 1993. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenRafter was 14 at the start of his offending and 19 when it ended. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeThe State appealed the original sentence as unduly lenient. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal said the sentence was a substantial departure from the norm and amounted to an error in principle. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceRafter was originally sentenced to four and a half years' imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court by Mr Justice Paul McDermott. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence and re-sentenced Rafter to seven years' imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe article's opening line says the sentence was increased to six years by the Court of Appeal. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe two sisters disclosed the abuse, and Rafter admitted what he had done when confronted at a family gathering. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 19 May2023Man in the Midlands who systematically raped and abused his two younger sisters has jail sentence increased
Court of Appeal increased the sentence. The article's opening line says six years, but the body says seven years with the final 12 months suspended.
convicted, Christopher Rafter, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christopher Raftervictim, Linda Rafter, female, irish (judged from name)Linda Raftervictim, Dolores Prendergast, female, irish (judged from name)Dolores Prendergast