A judge has expressed concern that an offender who attempted to kill a woman he met on a dating app at the age of 15 could be released from prison without supervision due to a recent Supreme Court ruling, reports Breaking News.
Mr. Justice Paul McDermott referred to the case of a now 23-yr-old who admitted in 2019 to trying to murder Stephanie Ng on December 23rd, 2017.
The offender, who posed as a 19-yr-old on an online dating app, arranged to meet Ms. Ng and lured her to an isolated spot on the Sea Front, Queen’s Road, Dún Laoghaire, reports Breaking News.
Pretending he wanted to take a selfie, he led her toward the waterfront, where he suddenly grabbed her from behind, strangled her until she lost consciousness, and cut her neck with a knife.
Since the offender was a minor at the time of his initial court appearance, his identity remains protected. He was sentenced to eleven years, with a review scheduled after five years, reports Breaking News.
However, the Court of Appeal later ruled that the five-year review was too lenient and extended it by an additional two years.
The review of his sentence was due to take place on Monday, but a Supreme Court decision recently determined that sentencing courts lack jurisdiction to revisit their own sentences.
At the Central Criminal Court, Mr. Justice McDermott stated that the case has a “difficult and delicate background,” reports Breaking News.
The judge noted that the defendant’s mental health is a “great concern” and that his parents will bear the responsibility of supporting him through his struggles.
Without the option to review the sentence, Mr. Justice McDermott explained that the court is now unable to impose supervision upon his release, reports Breaking News.
This case “cries out for supervision,” he stated, which was why the court had previously sought psychiatric and other expert reports before the review. “That’s not open to me any more,” he added.
Both the prosecution and the defence requested that the case be revisited on April 4th at the Central Criminal Court.
While agreeing to list it for that date, Mr. Justice McDermott emphasized that he is “not departing from the ruling of the Supreme Court,” which declared he has “no function” in altering the sentence, reports Breaking News.
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