‘Drunken binge’ resulted in attempted rape

Press, 19 February 1983, Page 4

‘Drunken binge’ resulted in attempted rape

After drinking a large quantity of beer and more than six bottles of wine, a young man climbed in the window of a flat and attempted to rape a woman, aged 22. at knifepoint. Mr Justice Holland was told in the High Court yestercay. Hare John Rini. aged 21. a roadworker, was jailed for a year to be followed by a year's probation on a charge of attempted rape. He was convicted and discharged on a charge of burglary of a flat in Cashel Street. Rini had pleaded guilty to both charges in the District Court. The offences were committed on December 29. The woman was in bed with her son. aged two. when she awoke to find Rini lying naked beside her. He put the knife to the side of her neck and told her that he would use it if she did not have sex with him. Mr M. J. Glue, for Rini. said that his client had written a note expressing his deep regret for his actions. Rini has. some limitations and had a most unfortunate start in his home life because both his parents drank heavilv.

As Rini matured he became involved with the Mongrel Mob and his first serious offence of arson resulted in him being sent to Borstal. Although he had had problems in his marriage, as a result of his wife's influence he had abstained from liquor for a year. The offences were committed over the holiday period between Christmas and New Year. Rini and his wife had words because she wanted them to take thair child to a cricus and he did not.

After taking money Rini stormed out of the flat and went on a drinking binge. He drank a large amount of beer and more than six bottles of wine. He went to a night club where he was verv intoxi-

cated. When leaving Rini. purchased two bottles of wine and drank them at a party. It was in the early hours when Rini climbed in the window of a flat, removed his clothes, got into bed with the young woman and produced the knife. He was grossly intoxicated and the following afternoon he was still under the influence of liquor when seen by counsel. Naturally the young woman was terrified but acted very sensibly and showed incredible self control. She reasoned with Rini before leaving the flat on some pretext and sought help. Rini apologised for his reprehensibe behaviour. He had lost every thing he had worked for in life and had already been severely punished. Mr Glue said. Mr Justice Holland said that Rini had pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted rape and one of burglary which he regarded as merely part of the attempt to rape. “It is a crime sadly becoming more and more prevalent where in the interests of the public, as your counsel has recognised. I have really no course open to me other than to sentence you to imprisonment." said his Honour. Reni had really made a mess of his life. Notwithstanding his past he was satisfied that there was some good in Rini. He suffered, probably through his own fault, for not having had an adequate education and that made it difficult for him to communicate. Although Rini had offended against the law this was the first time for assault, let alone a sexual assault. "You exposed your victim to a frightening experience and one which the law simply cannot tolerate." his Honour said.

Nevertheless, in relation to other charges of rape or attempted rape, there were some unusual factors in the case. Sadly it was not unusual that Rini was intoxicated and regrettably that appeared to be the norm rather than the exception. Rini had used no physical violence but he had terrified the girl by threatening her with a knife. He accepted that Rini had no intention of using the knife. At the first stage Rini had pleaded guilty so the woman did not have to go through further indignities by having to give evidence in public of the frightening experience she had that- night. “As a result of this drunken binge followed by sexual assault, you have lost your home, marriage, child and your job. You are one of the less fortunate members of the community who needs support. You were given that support and threw it away." said his Honour. He hoped that Rini would carry the feeling of remorse he had expressed in his letter because he was going to grant him the benefit that he really meant what he had said. The appropriate sentence for a crime of this kind even though no physical violence was used, though a knife was produced, was in the vicinity of three years imprisonment. "Because you have pleaded guilty and shown that with guidance and support you can fulfil a useful function in the community, I am satisfied that it is not only in your interests but also in the public interest that there should not be too long a sentence of imprisonment." said his Honour. "I want you to know. Rini. 1 am treating you very leniently. If you go on offending you are going to spend most of the rest of your life in jail."