Man jailed for raping girl (14) to appeal conviction

A Westmeath man jailed for the rape of a 14-year-old girl in a field five years ago will move to appeal his conviction in October.

Martin Stokes (25), of Corkhill, Kinnegad, had pleaded not guilty to defilement of a child under the age of 15 at a location in Westmeath on June 3rd, 2011. He also denied raping and sexually assaulting her on the same occasion.

He was found guilty on all counts by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Mr Justice Carroll Moran on August 7th, 2015.

Stokes' appeal against conviction was listed for hearing on Tuesday but his lawyers applied for an adjournment after written submission were received from the Director of Public Prosecutions "so late in the day" on Monday.

The three-judge court adjourned the hearing until October 5th.

Stokes has also lodged an appeal against sentence.