‘Monster’ loses appeal against term over abuse of parents

A MAN described as a “sadistic monster” for subjecting his elderly parents to five months of “excessive cruelty, brutality and obscenity of every kind” has lost his appeal against his 15-year sentence.

John Trimble, aged 40, of Bolart, Clara, Co Offaly, admitted harassing, falsely imprisoning, endangering and assaulting his parents, Elizabeth, aged 71, and John Trimble Sr, aged 72, at the family home on dates between March 1 and July 17, 2009.

He was jailed for 15 years by Judge Anthony Kennedy at Tullamore Circuit Criminal Court in November 2010.

The court heard Trimble kept his parents naked and deprived them of food. He forced them to take cold showers, forced his mother to clean the floor while naked and forced her to walk naked to a shed outside. He prevented his father, who had prostate cancer, from consulting with his doctor.

Trimble gave no explanation.

The Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday found there was no evidence that the 15-year term breached a principle of law.

Ms Justice Fidelma Macken, presiding, said the court found it difficult to describe the offences as anything other than “most grave” and “utterly degrading” and had determined that none of grounds of appeal adduced against severity of sentence should be granted.

David Goldberg SC, for Trimble, said Judge Kennedy failed to give adequate weight to mitigating factors, such as Trimble’s guilty plea, co-operation with gardaí and the chance of rehabilitation.

Padraic Hogan BL, for the state, said Judge Kennedy was entitled to give the minimum credit due for Trimble’s co-operation, guilty plea and possibility of rehabilitation.