Paedophile wins appeal against life sentence

A CONVICTED paedophile has successfully appealed against the severity of the life sentence imposed on him for raping two young boys in Dublin between 2004 and 2006.

In a reserved judgment delivered yesterday, the Court of Criminal Appeal reduced the sentence imposed on Philip Sullivan to a term of 15 years in prison, with the final two and a half years suspended provided he comply with certain conditions.

The court held that Mr Justice Paul Carney erred in passing a life sentence on Sullivan, and said that a determinate sentence was more appropriate, but stated in exceptional circumstances that life sentences can be imposed, and have been upheld by the appeal court, on those who plead guilty.