Three teenagers have been jailed for their part in an an aggravated burglary during which threats were made to rape a woman and cut off her son's fingers with a meat cleaver.
Two accused were aged 16 and one aged 17 last November when they and two others broke down the door of the woman's Dublin home and overpowered her before demanding money.
During the early morning raid an unidentified raider exposed himself and said he would rape her while her son (10) was present.
The victim said she was absolutely terrified during the 25 minute ordeal, which only ended when she showed them where she had hidden €30,000 in cash takings from a restaurant.
She said after the burglary she was constantly thinking about it and was scared they would come back.
Liam Fox (18) of Rossfield Park, Tallaght, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to aggravated burglary and car theft at a house in Dublin on November 11th, 2014. His only other convictions are for minor road traffic offences.
Two others, who cannot be identified as they are still juveniles, pleaded to the same offences. They have no previous convictions.
Sentences of eight years with some suspended
Giollaiosa O'Lideadha SC, defending Fox, said that the evidence was the three accused had embarked on a joint enterprise and this involved making threats but that it did not include the threat of rape.
Eilis Brennan BL, prosecuting, said that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) now accepted that the common design did not include the sexual threats.
Mr O'Lideadha said that there was no suggestion Fox carried out the 'vile sexual acts'. He said his client was deeply remorseful and regrets what he did.
Judge Martin Nolan imposed custodial sentences of eight years with three and a half suspended on Fox and one of the other men. He imposed a sentence of eight years with three suspended on the other juvenile.
He said: "If they were somewhat older and more mature the sentences would be more severe. Hopefully they can reform themselves."
"What they did will have long-term effects on the injured parties and hopefully that will bare on their consciences."
One of the juveniles had also pleaded guilty to a burglary, while the third man had admitted carrying out what the court described as a 'spree of burglaries' around the same time.
