A man who claimed God had given him a licence "to rape loose women" has lost his appeal against a life sentence imposed on him for a number of offences against a woman.
Francis King (49), of Crover, Broomfield, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, was convicted on a number of charges by a jury in the Central Criminal Court in May 2004. After less than one hour's deliberation, the jury convicted King of attempted rape, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, assault causing harm and false imprisonment of a woman on November 29th, 2002.
King had told gardai after he attacked a woman in her home that God gave him this "power" when he had been "in heaven". He said others believed this place to be a hospice at Harold's Cross, Dublin.
He told gardai the woman he attacked had "deserved it". He also told gardai: "You have to put manners on them."
In the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Paul Carney noted that King believed he had been commanded by God to deal with women when he disapproved of aspects of their lifestyle, such as going dancing.
"He intends to do the same again and I cannot take a risk," the judge said, adding that his sentence was not as harsh in all the circumstances of King's case as it might seem at first glance.
The Parole Board would have a file on King and a future decision relating to him would be a matter for another authority than the courts, the judge said.
Giving the jugdment today, Mr Justice Brian McCracken — sitting with Mr Justice Declan Budd and Mr Justice John McMenamin — said the trial judge had taken the view that it would be better for the victim, the public and King himself for a decision about his sentence to be made by the Parole Board who would have advice not just from psychologists and doctors.
The court felt that the approach of the trial judge was correct and proper and was therefore upheld.