Judge says rapist ‘wise’ to withdraw appeal against sentence

Lovemore Dube (28) had pleaded guilty to attacking woman in her Cork home

A man jailed for seven years for raping a woman in her home four years ago was “wise” to withdraw his appeal, according to the Court of Appeal

Lovemore Dube (28), with addresses in Limerick and Cork, had pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to raping the middle aged woman at her home in Cork on July 23rd, 2012.

The Zimbabwean national was sentenced to nine years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Mr Justice Paul Carney on January 31st, 2013.

Dube was due to appeal against the severity of his prison sentence on Thursday in the Court of Appeal.

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However, before proceedings began, Dube’s barrister, Thomas Creed SC, told the three-judge court his client wished to withdraw his appeal.

Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan said it was a "wise application" in the court's view.

Mr Justice Sheehan, who sat with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Edwards, said the court would allow Dube's appeal to be withdrawn.

Dube, who had been transferred from prison to court for the day’s proceedings, was lead away by prison officers to continue serving his sentence.