Galway rape 'one of the worst of its type', says judge

A 25-year-old man who “befriended” a woman separated from her friends during a hen party in Galway city before repeatedly raping and beating her in his flat has today been given a 12-year jail sentence.

Louis Sheils formerly of Clifton Crescent, Newcastle, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to rape, oral rape and false imprisonment of the girl at his rented accommodation on June 5, 2011.

After an ordeal lasting several hours and in fear for her life, his victim managed to escape from a bathroom window of his apartment and ran completely naked to a nearby house for help.

She had met her attacker earlier outside a nightclub having lost her friends and phone at a hen party.

Described as "worse for wear for drink", she went to his place to make a call.

It was there he violently attacked her - repeatedly punching her in the face, squeezing her throat and raping her over and over – so that she believed she would not be allowed leave alive.

She said that she has been left scarred for life. Sheils was arrested two days later in Killarney with Sterling currency and a bus ticket to Belfast.

Mr Justice Paul Carney said the case was "one of the worst of its type" as he imposed a 15-year sentence, with three years suspended.