A 22-YEAR-old Tipperary man who "flipped" and raped a woman at knifepoint after consuming a large amount of alcohol and cannabis has been jailed for six years by Mr Justice Carney.
Michael Shine, Congress Terrace, Fethard, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court in January to raping the 21-year-old victim near his home on May 11th, 1996.
Mr Justice Carney noted that Shine had not tried to withdraw his statement of admission. If he had done so he mint have walked free, as the woman indicated she would not give evidence at a trial. She also said she did not want to see anyone jailed for a long time, and Sgt Bairy Jones said he had never met a man who regretted his offence more, said Mr Justice Carney.
Shine's only explanation for the incident was that he "flipped" after too much alcohol and cannabis. Sgt Jones said he was very shocked on initially hearing Shine had committed the offence as it was "quite out of character". In evidence, he again expressed remorse and apologised to the woman. He also said he had now cut out the use of cannabis.
Mr Tom Slattery SC, defending, said a psychological report showed Shine was of below normal intelligence and had taken an overdose of pills in a suicide bid during late 1996 or early 1997. Sgt Jones agreed he had been very co-operative and expressed great remorse for the victim.